Thank You!

On a scale of 1 to 10, how good are your kids at expressing gratitude? Do they have any idea how blessed they are? Do they have a clue how the majority of the world lives in comparison? Are they content with what they have or always wanting more? Do they thank you when you fix dinner for them or pass the potatoes? Are they gracious when they get to go out to eat or on vacation or to a movie? Do they complain about writing a thank you card after their birthday party? Are they good at making eye contact and saying a simple “thanks” for something you have done for them?

Everywhere you look you can find someone talking about how kids today have entitlement issues. They expect life to be handed to them on a silver platter and don’t believe they should have to earn it. Whether it’s a trophy or a car, a shopping spree or their favorite ice cream, kids know what they want and expect you to give it to them. But, this is not a new phenomenon. The writer of Psalm 103, thousands of years ago wrote a song reminding people to remember God and all His benefits. Perhaps we would do well with that reminder. If we forget the greatness and graciousness of our Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Guide, then it is no wonder that the generations following us struggle to be grateful.

God is merciful. God is kind. God is not, however, our sugar-daddy handing us everything we think we want or need. He is our rescuer and often the enemy we most need to be rescued from is ourselves. Basically, no matter how well you have followed the rules or how hard you have worked or what family you were born into, you are nothing without the air supply provided by your Creator. You are nothing without the gifts and talents He programed into your DNA. That being said, how often and openly do you express gratitude to Him for “all His benefits?”

I would love to challenge you and your family to begin a gratitude journal. Every day, everyone in the family should list two things for which you are grateful. It may be air condition or post it notes or puppies or Jesus. The “what” doesn’t matter as much as the exercise in building a heart of thanksgiving. When my grandkids spend the night I tuck them in asking for 2 things they are thankful for and one thing they need God to help them with. Maybe you would consider doing the same with your children or your spouse or just with your God. It is good to be grateful to others, but it is imperative to be thankful to our Lord.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:1-2