“Fortune Teller” Blessings
Last week, we shared a new way to express gratitude for our own blessings. This week, we’d like to encourage you to turn your focus outward, and think about blessing others – specifically, using a paper “fortune teller” to spread your blessings in a creative way!
These simple origami objects have been ubiquitous in elementary and middle schools in the U.S. for decades, whether called “fortune tellers” or “cootie catchers,” or any number of other regionalisms. Their simplicity and customizability is likely responsible for their popularity; after all, all you need to make one is a square piece of paper (trimming a piece of printer paper will do just fine!) and something to write with. If it’s been a while since you made one, you can follow the instructions laid out here or, if you have kids in your home, ask them to help you!
Traditionally, the innermost portion of the “fortune teller” contains eight different (you guessed it) fortunes, and by playing with the fortune teller, you can imagine that you are looking into the future as the device “tells you” which of the fortunes will happen to you. But we’re changing this part up, so let’s call our devices “blessing spreaders” instead. With your family, think of someone to dedicate your blessing spreader to – maybe it’s someone you know well, or someone you don’t know well...who is in your heart? Instead of fortunes, come up with eight blessings that this person could use in their life. Remember that blessings are tied into good fortune, happiness, and calling on God to care for those around us. Be specific with your blessings: maybe you include things like “good health in the coming year” or “a successful transition to a new school.”
After you’ve filled your blessing spreader with blessings, finish folding it, including the numbered flaps and the four colors traditionally placed on the sections of the top. Now you can play! The “rules” are also included in the step-by-step instructions include above; the only change you’ll make is that when you reveal the blessing on the exposed flap of the blessing spreader, you’ll pray for that particular thing to come into your recipient’s life.
You can repeat the blessing spreader “game” as much as you’d like – why not play until you’ve prayed over all eight blessings? You can also make them for as many people as you’d like. So while your family is playing with these irresistibly fun little paper devices, you’ll also be spreading blessings far and wide, and giving others something to be grateful for.
How did your family’s blessing spreaders come out? Share pictures with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and feel free to share this post with anyone who might have blessings to spare!
