Gratitude First
by Joseph Walker
| I’m not exactly sure why I gave the necklace to Kayla. I had an extra necklace. Kayla was sitting in front of me at church. It just seemed like the thing to do. |
Now, keep in mind that I’m talking about a candy necklace here — nothing special at all. It was just a stringy loop of elastic with multi-colored candies strung around it. I had handed some of them to the ten-year-olds to whom I had been teaching Old Testament stories for the past year (what, you don’t see the connection between candy necklaces and the Old Testament?), and I had an extra one.
Kayla is quite special indeed. She has long dark hair. Gorgeous eyes. A beautiful smile. The sweetest voice you’ve ever heard. And she’s six. In all the world there is nothing so wonderfully adorable as a six-year-old girl.
Which is probably why I gave the necklace to her. I’m a sucker for that stuff.
When I slipped the necklace into her hand she smiled that beautiful smile of hers, and I considered myself adequately thanked. Then I settled back to enjoy the church meeting. As enthralling as church was that day, I did notice a couple of things about Kayla. For one thing, although she wore the candy necklace around her neck, I didn’t see her actually eating the candy. By way of comparison, my son Jon had his necklace consumed and was asking for more before we sang the final “Alleluia” in the opening hymn. The other thing I noticed was that she seemed quite intent on something she was drawing. I couldn’t see it, but whatever it was it certainly had her attention—so much so that she paid almost no attention to the candy strung around her neck.
When the service ended I stood to leave. Then I noticed something small and cute in the aisle beside me. It was Kayla. She didn’t say a word. She just handed a piece of paper to me. It was the picture that she had been working on throughout the meeting. It showed a tall stick figure man with glasses and most of his hair, holding a candy necklace in his hand. Next to him was a shorter stick figure girl with long dark hair, gorgeous eyes, and a beautiful smile. Over her head was a cartoon balloon with these words: “Thank you.”
It was a lovely gift and a marvelous work of art—far more valuable than the candy bauble I had presented to her. As I thanked her for her gift, I noticed that she was finally starting to eat the candy that I had given to her.
“It looks like your Daddy wouldn’t let you eat your candy until after church,” I observed.
She shook her head seriously. “I could eat it,” she said, shyly. “I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ first.”
I was touched by the gesture and inspired by her message. It was so important to her to say “thank you” that she couldn’t really enjoy the treat until she had expressed her gratitude.
That’s why there’s a new piece of art in the gallery that is beginning to fill the nooks and crannies of my office. Kayla’s picture is the first to be so enshrined that wasn’t created by one of my offspring. I’m including it as a way of reminding me to be grateful.
First.
Deseret Book, Look What Love Has Done
Posted by Thelma
from Jefferson City, MO
This was such a sweet story and a reminder t o me to be grateful for all of Father gifts before I start to enjoy them. Thank you
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Posted by carolann
from Florida
Thank you for sharing this wonderful, inspiring story! You really touched my heart and reinforced an important lesson exhibited by this precious little girl.
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Posted by Jodie
from New York
Wow, that's a cool story!
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Posted by Patricia
from Ireland
I found the story of the young girl in church (who didn't want to consume the sweetie necklace until she had said "Thank you") to be quite charming... Perhaps we would savour our gifts more if we, also, postponed our enjoyment for a little while - until after having given thanks... This would be a small stepping stone in to-day's river of selfishness and would gently lead us towards the rich haven of loving self-denial, which Our Saviour demonstrated in his life.
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Posted by Julie
from Neenah, WI
Gratitude is the key to our happiness. When we concentrate on the blessings we have, we realize just how good we have it. The late Princess Diana understood this. She made sure that she wrote a thank you note AS SOON AS she returned from an event. Our thank you's are very powerful.
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Posted by Leanne
from Washington
If we as a nation could learn a lesson from this little girl there would be a time of peace and good will. Too many people want to eat and then never get around to saying thank you. May her attitude grow as she grows and may she run for President....she has my vote!
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Posted by Jeni
from Bonney Lake, WA
How often do we forget to thank God or others first? What a powerful lesson by a six year old. I think tomorrow in Seminary I will be bringing some candy necklaces and this article. Thank you for writing it.
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Posted by marla
from minnesota
great story - thanks for sharing. i'll never look at a candy necklace the same way again.
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Posted by Louise
from San Diego
If only we could all act as this mere child did...showing gratitude for something that someone else has done or given them. Thank you for helping me to realize that sometimes it is the little things that really do matter the most.
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Posted by Heather
from Whitby, Ontario, Canada
What a simple and lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. I have been trying to motivate my Early Morning Seminary Students in the area of Service. What a perfect spiritual thought to share with them for tomorrow! Thanks to you! Heather
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Posted by Susie
from SLC, Utah
sometimes the simplist lesson and story is the most effecitve.. Thanks for sharing..
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Posted by Sheila
from Deville, Louisiana
I just read the LDS Living article "Gratitude First", and was so uplifted by it. I had a children's resale shop that burned to the ground this morning. I have been calm and peaceful even though thousands of dollars in merchandise was destroyed. I have been saying all day "how blessed I am in my life to have the things I have and my children and grandchildren and a great priesthood holder for my husband. I told him I needed a blessing this morning after I found out about the fire, even though I was peaceful about it I still was afraid of my feelings. Reading this little story uplifted me because I realized that I had been thankful for my other blessings and that made me handle this bad spot in my life so much better. It helped me to remember if I do count my blessings I will be happier through any tragedy in my life. A very simple story but it helped make my day a little brighter.
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Posted by marcos
from ny
This is a beautiful reminder of how children teach us to be better spirit children of god. This story made me think of how much we forget to b grateful for the blessings we recieve every day. The minute we stop being grateful is the day the blessings in our lives stop also.
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