Gratitude Taught and Caught

As Doug and I raised our three boys we were always looking for ways to teach them gratitude. Of course, the first way our children learn is by example. That means you and I have to stop and see if we are being grateful. Do we vocalize the blessings we see throughout our day? Do we stop and thank God for that rainbow, sunset or flowers we see along our journey?

Jesus was always an example for us. He lived to please His Father and do His will. That resulted in gratitude. In John we are reminded of the feeding of the 5000. As the story is relayed we see that when Jesus received the fish and loaves, He gave thanks. (John 6:11) This must have been important because later in that same chapter John again reminds us that the people sought Jesus where they ate bread, after He gave thanks. (John 6:23)

We have used different tools to remind our children to be grateful. We have a 'Blessings Book' in the living room that they could write about something they were thankful for any time. When they were young they were allowed to draw pictures. We still have a book on our coffee table now and when the boys come home for the holidays they always write in it before they leave.

My youngest son and his wife have a 'Blessings Wall' in their home. They just put a large sheet of paper up and each day they write something they are thankful for or a blessing they received that day.

The first thing in the morning we tell Jesus, "Thank You for another day." The last thing at night we tell Jesus, "Thank You for this day."

Take time to start a tradition of being grateful. This is the perfect season to begin.