Lenten Treasure Chest Activity for Kids

This is a card stock treasure chest that we got from the website of Phyllis Onest, director of Education for the Greek Archdiocese Pittsburgh Metropolis. We printed it out and then took it to Staples to have it printed onto card stock. We cut it out, colored and decorated it. It has over 40 "gold" coins with different "good deeds" printed on them. For example, read bible, help a neighbor, attend a church service, etc. Ace LOVES it! Every morning he picks his coin and then he does his good deed. It's really nice. :)When we finished it we read the correlating scripture verses and I explained to him that our good deeds are never overlooked or forgotten by God, they store up in Heaven forever. Ace also went to confession for the first time a few months ago so I thought it would be good to include that in our discussion. I reminded him how lucky we are for the sacrament of confession and said that when we sin it's like throwing rocks in our treasure chest. He wasn't happy with that and said "I don't want rocks in my treasure chest, I want treasures!" I then explained to him that the only way to get the rocks out was through the sacrament of confession. If we continue to confess our sins we will keep removing the rocks; and if we continue to do good deeds with a loving heart we will continue to fill our treasure chest in Heaven. Then he said with wide eyes "Boy, I wish I could see my treasure chest and play with it. I guess I'll have to wait until I go to Heaven." Then my tears came. What higher hope does a mother have than for her children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? I pray that God keeps the zeal for His Kingdom in my children's hearts forever...