I came across this quote and was taken aback by how simple yet forthright and impactful it was. Saying “thank you” is such an important part of our relationship with God, our Father, yet how often do we truly do it during our busy days? How are we teaching our children to be thankful for all that He has given us? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states “Give thanks in every circumstance for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

It’s the day after Christmas and I’m certain that we all had a lot of gifts to open and indulge in as well as scrumptious meals to enjoy. We should be thankful for all that He has given us, not just for these physical, worldly gifts, but most importantly, for the intangible ones - our lives, our health, our family, etc., etc. I could go on and on naming what we can be thankful for each and every second of each and every day.

Whether we like it or not, we are role models for our children. If we are not verbally expressing our thanks and showing thankfulness through our actions, the likelihood is that our children will not either. To raise thankful children, we must first be thankful as parents. Try expressing thanks out loud each day as part of the family routine, such as when you are driving them to school. Make it fun and playful. Point out how they can thank each other for simple acts of kindness. As a parent, you can thank your children for things that they do, and they should be thanking you as well. Nurture a thankful spirit within your children and they will be kinder and more loving to you and others.