The Praise Jar

by Tim Keller, Lead Pastor

Some traditions begin with a wildly successful event that goes over so big that everyone clamors for a repeat engagement as soon as possible. This is no doubt why Hollywood has never met a sequel it didn’t try to utilize to squeeze additional revenue.
 
Other traditions begin slowly, almost silently, and yet become foundational to our lives. Who was the first person who ever suggested brining a freshly cut tree into their house to help celebrate Christmas?  Yet, for many it has become a tradition that is closely connected to the Christmas celebration.
 
Two years ago we began a new tradition in the Keller household that has quickly become an important part of our end of the year family celebration. We called it the “Praise Jar.” It’s an empty mason jar that lives on the kitchen counter. Beneath it are colorful squares of paper about 3 inches in size. A pen resides close by.
 
Every time that something takes place in our lives that causes us to give glory to God, we try to remember to write it down, add the date, fold the paper in half and insert it in the jar. It began as an exercise in being more consistent in remembering to give glory to God for His blessings; it has become a deep reminder at the end of each year of how present and consistent God is in our lives.
 
There had been some challenging days that had seemingly robbed us of the capacity to thank God consistently. The temptation was great to lose sight of the goodness of God in the midst of so much heartache. Something had to be done. The “Praise Jar” was born.
 
Matthew’s car breaks down in the interstate between Iowa and Carlisle, yet God protected him from harm and the car was repaired in time for him to drive it home a week later. It goes in the jar.
 
Michael lands a new job and has weekends off for the first time ever. It goes in the jar.
 
Josiah completes a wildly busy semester with student teaching, marching band, and tutoring other students. It goes in the jar.
 
Cheri loses a gazillion pounds and develops a healthy exercise regime. It goes in the jar.
 
God uses the Christmas devotional I wrote to bless many people inside and outside of our church. It goes in the jar.
 
Then, usually on New Year’s Day, we gather around and open the jar in the living room on the coffee table. One by one we pull out the slips and read aloud the brief summaries. What started off as an exercise in giving glory has become something of a sacred moment as the goodness of God rolls over us like a warm blanket on a cold day. The tears come. The memories are strong.
 
God is good. All the time.