Way #9
"We are thankful for what we have, whether it is a little or a lot."
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thess. 5:16-18
A grateful heart sees the fingerprints of God in normal every day circumstances, be they great or challenging.
Many years ago, as a young, idealistic mama, I wanted to provide my children with all the best experiences, opportunities, books, toys, bikes, lessons--the things we all feel pressured to provide for our children. When we started Wholeheart Ministries, though, we moved to a tiny country town, where we lived with my mother-in-law and got by on a very negligible salary for several years.
Shopping at Goodwill was the way to go, as we could not afford department stores. Spending at the grocery store sometimes made me feel guilty, because we just didn't have much money. Our budget didn't allow for all the things I thought my children needed.
Yet looking back, I can see that living out in the country with lots of space to roam and only a few friends but lots and lots of time together as a family is probably the best thing that could have happened to my children. Because we did not have lots of toys, our children learned to pretend, create their own stories, draw and study nature, make up games, read lots of books, and spend lots of time outdoors with animals.
Because there was not even an option to have lots of "things", they became thankful for what they had. I was the only one who had any idea that they might be missing out, because I was listening to the voices of my peers. They were blissfully unaware. Life to them was a joyful adventure where we had a little community called “Clarkson.” There was no need to be constantly entertained, because we did not have lots of media, gadgets, and toys, so they had not learned to expect them, and there were few neighbors nearby to tempt them with toys they did not have.
Working, sharing, and patiently waiting their turn were some of the ways God built thankfulness into my children's hearts.
We learned through this season to be thankful for sunrises and sunsets, for long wanders in the grassy fields near our home. I was not smart enough to choose this for my family, but God in His wisdom knew just what my children needed to build character, to teach them to be grateful for a simple life. He used our circumstances to train them!
Enabling children’s discontent and giving them idols of our own making by over-indulging them is common in our contemporary culture, but being spoiled creates a person who complains, whines, and is weak in times of adversity.
Thankfulness is a habit of choosing to look for the blessings abundant in every day life.
Thankfulness requires us engaging in looking for ways we might worship God, and then verbalizing our gratefulness.
Thankfulness comes from a heart that is willing to look for the fingerprints of God in simple moments. “I am not alone, thank you God. You are with me every day. I am thankful for the seasons, for being alive in your world, for knowing hope that takes me through this dark world, that I know truth that guides my every thought and decision every day.”
Practice thankfulness out loud with your own children ever day. Don’t be a whiner. Give them the gift of looking for what matters. Don’t develop idols for yourself that will not fulfill, but be grateful for the life you have been given and your heart and your life will suddenly seem more full than you ever imagined.
This week, every day, notice the things that God has provided. Practice thanking Him for each way He has worked and blessed in your life. Have your children write thank you cards to friends of family for whom they are grateful. Breathing thankfulness into all the minutes of the days, creates a great pattern for life and helps you and your children to become more satisfied with what God has given.
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