Raising Grateful Children in a “Gimme More” Society

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

Around this time of year, before we’ve had a chance to empty the Halloween candy bowl or carve the Thanksgiving turkey, the big toy sales fliers start arriving and kids start their Christmas wish lists. Tantalized by every gimmick and colorful advertisement, their lists grow long and their expectations reach great heights.   

While there’s great fun letting them dream and wish for everything they desire, it creates quite a conundrum for parents striving to raise grateful children. Let’s be honest, those newspaper ads are colorful and those TV ads do well convincing them it’s a MUST to have the newest everything, don’t they?  

So, what’s a parent to do? How do we first, balance their expectations with our budgets and second, teach them gratitude when the world screams, “gimme more”?

(Please join the discussion at Christian Children's Authors blog? All are welcome! Just click here.)

Heaven's Song

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything." Ephesians 5:18b-20

"Would you buy me a music book for Christmas so I can sing the songs?" asked my blond pipe-curled granddaughter. The one who couldn't yet read or follow notes but always sang from somewhere deep within her soul.

The music called them both, she and her baby brother, in the middle of the store. They sang and twirled and clapped their hands. Uninhibited soul celebration that couldn't be stilled. 

Isn't it Jesus who said we should be more like children? 

(Psst...put on your happy feet and dance over to {re}fresh for the rest of the story, won't you?)

Notice Him

Image by RabbiaGale.com

“For everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…” 1 Timothy 4:4 

I stare out my picture window into the cold, gray November sky. Chilling winds bare the last golden leaves from the maple limbs carpeting the neighborhood streets and lawns. The first snow sneaks in early, barely visible, and almost undetected—or maybe I just missed it. 

Living a year of great extremes, my heart’s become a bit numb and I miss the obvious things sometimes, like the first fallen snow.  

Experiencing life and death, rejoicing and mourning all together and in multiples with little time for processing, my emotions hang in limbo. Days and weeks jumble together and the months flip forward like I’m thumbing my way through a magazine in the grocery checkout line. While I crave time to reflect, family needs fill my calendar—the young and old alike—and life moves forward.   

And so, on rare occasions when I’m alone and my “to do” list is empty I add to another—my One Thousand Gifts list. Ann Voskamp taught me this—how when your heart is heavy and your days are busy, consciously set your eyes on the horizon and keep watch. Keep watch for all the big and little gifts God bestows on you every day—unique pleasures that whisper, “I AM here and will never leave you” and “I love you.”  

Give thanks because as we express our gratitude, a wellness comes and joy erupts—lifts us closer to heaven. Then, write them down, list them out one-by-one because, as Ann admits truth, our hearts need reminding that God’s goodness surrounds us.

#571 First snow

#572 Fourth grandchild announced

#573 Husband’s victory

#574 African children’s God-joy

#575 Anticipating thanksgiving celebrations

#576 A father remembered 

Every day God’s blessings surround us. Notice them. Give thanks for them. Write them down so that on days when thanksgiving comes hard, your hearts will be reminded of at least a thousand different ways God loves you!  

To start your own One Thousand Gifts list, here's some help Ann gives. Just click here.

Refrigerator Prayer Door

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3 NIV

By this time we've thrown out tucked away all our Christmas greeting cards. Beyond pulling them out for kids winter art projects or (if we muster enough patience) snip off the personal greeting and use the front covers for gift tags next year, what else can we do with them? Decoupage is outdated and besides, Grandma only has so much space on her living room wall.

The past few years has proven another dilemma. What do you do with all those photo cards? I mean, there's only so much shelf space for photo albums and you can't really recycle them. I don't think cousin Suzie would appreciate seeing little Tommy's year-old face on next year's Christmas gift, even if he does have the cutest smile. Besides, she spent her hard-earned money on those photo cards!

Not knowing what to do, I let mine pile up in a drawer for years.  Then one day, while standing in my friend's kitchen, I noticed all the photos on her refrigerator door.

(Won't you join me over at the Christian Children's Authors' blog for the rest of the story?)

Curing the Thanksgiving Hangover

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6, 8

If a Thanksgiving hangover exists, I suffered one this weekend. Turkey and all the fixings, either graced our family table or someone else's three times this week and the other four days we filled up with birthday celebrations, yard work, painting and an author event.

Today, I was more than ready for an ordinary, boring Monday where silence reigned down refreshing my body, mind and soul; where I feasted on God's Word instead of more turkey pot pie.


Then, Auntie called asking for help - more shopping and a doctor visit.

My eyes squinted shut and my heart grew tight and small. My mind screamed, "No! Not one more thing! Not one more person needing me or one more place or one more errand. No!" I'm grateful God sealed my mouth until I could hear Him over my grumbling thoughts.

"Grace and mercy," was all He whispered.

Grace and mercy don't come naturally. I struggle receiving and giving these heavenly gifts, especially when I'm physically worn out, just like today.

Heaving a deep breath, I reluctantly agreed to one more person, one more place, and one more errand before the call ended. With barely a few hours to spare, I crawled upstairs and opened my thanks-giving journal. Remember? The one where I'm supposed to be counting all God's gifts? Yes, in all my Thanksgiving busyness I'd neglected to stop and count and mindfully give thanks.  

When we neglect thanks-giving, grumbling replaces joy. Our minds and souls need reminding every moment of every day that joy comes only after we offer our thanks to the Giver of all our good gifts.

So, this morning, I recounted the past few days - looked back and recalled God's precious gifts given even through my busyness.

#49 Rest at night
#50 Precious morning silence
#51 Musicals
#52 Still sharing dreams after 28 years
#53 Strangers turned friends
#54 An extra day off
#55 Winter preparations
#56 Physical exercise
#57 Celebrating one more Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad
#58 Intimate family moments
#59 Mom and Dad's laughter
#60 Mom's grateful heart
#61 Midnight shopping adventure
#62 A soft warm bed
#63 Sleep
#64 New paint on old walls
#65 New generation inspired
#66 Playful puppy cousins
#67 Seeking stranger
#68 Sharing God's hope
#69 God conversations in holiday traffic
#70 Smiling, snuggling grandchildren greeting me at the door

Yes, recounting God's limitless gifts and offering Him thanks transforms this grumbling heart into a cheerful heart; makes room for more grace, more mercy and allows me to offer it freely. One more person? One more place? One more errand? By God's grace and mercy, yes.

Living Thanksgiving Every Day



Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving

"May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children."

Psalm 90:16

Our glasses raised, four generations gathered around the table, gave thanks for God's generous blessings and another year together. We feasted on turkey and all good things until our hearts and bellies filled.

And in the midst of our joy I thought, when we start counting God's gifts, is one thanksgiving day enough? Can our hearts and lips express enough to our ever-giving God? Shouldn't our diet include a large heaping scoop of heart-felt thanksgiving every. single. day?

#28 early morning coffee in bed                                          

#29 a chickadee's serenade                                                  

#30 early Christmas shopping                                             

#31 much work accomplished                                               

#32 God's protection                                                             

#33 new deer sightings                                                          

#34 Christmas music streaming                                           

#35 alone time                                                                         

#36 God's miraculous provision                                            

#37 God's gentle wake-up call                                               

#38 a new baby promised in June                                       

#39 God's Word whispered                                                    

#40 watching God's blessing poured on my children        

#41 giggling grandchildren                                                     

#42 a new friend seeking & speaking                                   

#43 early morning love pats                                                  

#44 playfulness                                                                        

#45 faith community                                                              

#46 four generations gathered, celebrating, giving thanks

#47 happy thanks-birthdays                                                 

#48 word gifts                                                                          

If we readjust our focus, realign our thinking, walk in God's rhythm, then every day is Thanksgiving.

Blessings to you this week,

Dawn

Joy Comes by Counting 1, 2, 3

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

She wrecked me - in a good way - with her elegant prose-etry - as she laid down her story in front of me and 600 others. Beauty arose there from her ashes filling us all with hope; an uncomplicated hope that's born by simply giving thanks.

Keeping record of all the gifts bestowed by our Creator God - even on the difficult days when finding good gifts proves hard - fills us with heavenly joy. It's true, she said. So, I tried it. I can't say my journal filled with One Thousand Gifts jotted down in permanent ink, but my heart witnessed them all.

Now, fourteen months since we first met, thanksgiving is on my lips more and more - not because of her, but because thanksgiving ushers me into God's presence. And when I'm in God's presence more and more, heaven's grace transforms life from within filling me with pure joy. It's true.

When joy is on our lips, friends, He takes our burdens and makes us light. And when we're light-hearted, we catch His heart's rhythm and we join God in the dance. Life starts with thanksgiving; it's how hope rises and joy fills.

Will you join me in giving God thanks for at least three things a day, like she taught me? And, one more thing? Will you hold me accountable to write them down? Because writing them down serves as a solid witness of God's faithful goodness to our forgetful hearts.

Every Monday, we'll meet right here where I'll share my 27 God-gifts with you. Will you do the same? Join me in simple thanks?

Today, God's presence fills me with joy and makes me dance as I give thanks for:

1. Sunshine & blue skies after Sandy's hurricane fury
2. A quiet house
3. Piano solos ushering my heart into God's presence

Are you ready to dance?  Share three things are you thankful for today, won't you?

Right This Very Minute

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

Right this very minute my nose and toes are cold so I wrap them up in cozy fleece and slip right into warm fluffy scuffs. Pen in hand, I scratch my free flowing thoughts across the page hoping inspiration comes. Last week's schedule wore me out and I grasp for wisdom through it all - some tidbit to share and a God revelation.

But, God interrupts and whispers, "Right this very minute."

"What?" I ask.

"What are you thankful for, right this very minute?"

"Everything. I'm thankful for everything."

"Be specific."

So, the list begins. Right this very minute, I'm thankful for:

• open piano music sitting above the ebony and ivory keys
• heat that warms during these cold autumn days
• full cupboards that nourish and satisfy this body
• a loving family
• celebrating my father's 81st birthday on Thursday
• forgiveness and fresh starts
• peace and quiet to think and listen

These are all good gifts - indescribably good gifts that meet needs and add joy - from a generously loving God. And when I stop, right this very minute, and give thanks to the Giver my heart smiles and so does His. We don't have to look for huge, life-changing revelation in every moment...God just wants us to notice the little things because all the little things add up and point to a listening, living God. He is the most indescribable gift.

Every moment of every day, whether we notice it or not, God generously gives good gifts to His children. Have you noticed lately? Will you take the time and look around? What are you thankful for, right this very minute? Let's bless one another and God's heart.

Pausing for Thanksgiving: Remembering Each Other

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please welcome guest blogger and She Speaks graduate, Unity Faith Miller:

“…always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16b

It’s that time of year again ̶ that time everyone loves and dreads ̶ where you see more faces in church and people being friendlier to each other. But for some, the forgotten, joy never comes; whatever the circumstance ̶ joblessness, loneliness, abandonment, homelessness, addiction, loss ̶ these are far from happy holidays.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-16 says, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always.”

 Paul asks us to respect those that labor over us in Christ’s name, to support and encourage each other, especially those that are fainthearted and weak, and to be patient toward each other recognizing that we all have our faults. We should also respond to each other according to what our needs are and if we are wronged we do not respond by repaying “evil for evil."

He ends these verses saying, regardless of our circumstances, we should always rejoice and support each other (see also 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3, “and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles”).

 Now these verses referred to the Christians doing for Christians, but it also is meant for us to do for the non-believers as well (for what we do for the least of theses we do for our Heavenly Father).

 My challenge for us this holiday season: rejoice, be thankful, and encourage all you come in contact with this year and in doing so we will see God’s glory and spirit throughout this season, because we will be taking the focus off ourselves and remembering others that may have been forgotten.
 

Unity Faith Miller is a single mom of Thaddeus. By trade she is a nurse but the Lord has called her to the ministry of encouraging hurting women to live life with joy regardless of the hardships. She facilitates Bible studies, speaks, writes, and is a Christian Life Coach-in-training.

Pausing for Thankfulness: Really Giving Thanks

Please welcome guest blogger and She Speaks graduate, Angela Mackey:

Angela Mackey
Guest Blogger
Rethinking My Thinking

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." Hebrews 13:15

My heart felt torn. My eyes burned as tears threatened to spill. I cleared my throat, "Thank you." I nodded my head willing that she know how deeply grateful I felt. This was no polite thank-you like I say to the lady who took my order at the drive-thru, but the I-was-in-desperate-need-and-you-answered-the-call type.

How often do I offer feeble thanks to God? The polite thank-you for the socks you got for Christmas rather than thanks that comes from a humble heart.

Is it possible that we forget we are in desperate need–that without Jesus we are hopeless, helpless, enemies of God? Real thanksgiving comes from a humble heart. A heart that realizes I could never have done this alone and I can never repay you for what you have done.

Isn't that what God did for us through His Son? But we forget, we justify ourselves. We think we aren't that bad, we could somehow work our way to heaven. Then suddenly the gifts we could never earn turn into something we demand to have. We think we have earned a life free of strife, illness, financial burdens, relational stress, and loss. Instead of "a sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15) we reluctantly mumble, "thanks God." All the time wishing He gave us a box of chocolates rather than a fishing pole.

We lose sight of how desperately we need a Savior. We forget our original state. We were "God's enemies" (Romans 5:10), "slaves to sin" (Romans 6:6), and our "minds were blinded" (2 Corinthians 4:4). All our good deeds are like "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Max Lucado once likened us to a "lame leper begging for a back on which to ride."

Oh that we would come to God from that humble state of mind. Remembering who we are without Him. Knowing our desperate need and thanking Him from that humbled state. It is from that humbled place we can offer thanksgiving in the painful things of life. When we remember our nature before He saved us, we can see that all God gives is grace.

Let us pause to remember the desperate situation He saved us from and let us give thanks with that in mind.


Angela Mackey lives in the Arkansas River Valley with her wonderfully supportive husband and three amazing children. She is passionate about teaching women to renew their minds through God’s word so that they may live transformed lives. Angela is a writer, speaker, nurse, and stay-at-home mom who openly shares her struggle with infertility. She loves college basketball (especially the Kansas Jayhawks), reading, writing, and laughing at herself. You can connect with her on her blog, Rethinking My Thinking , on Twitter and on Facebook.

Pausing for Thankfulness: In All Circumstances

It's an honor to welcome guest blogger and She Speaks graduate, Heather Ablondi

Heather Ablondi
Guest Blogger
Reclaiming Our Royal Inheritance



“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Marrying my best friend. Celebrating my daughter’s first birthday. Moving into our first house. Welcoming two more daughters into our family. All of these are blessings from God for which I am very thankful.
 
My father’s alcohol and drug addiction. His death in a drunk driving crash that he caused. My first daughter’s premature birth and subsequent 89 day stay in the hospital. The four months that my husband worked last year, but didn’t get paid. Can I honestly say that I am thankful for these, as well?

It is so very easy to be grateful when life is going well and all is working out as planned. It can be so much harder to have a heart of gratitude when the unexpected happens or when we experience great loss.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Does God really expect us to be thankful for the difficult and painful times? I believe that the answer can be found in the following verse:

“He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:4

It is during the difficult times in my life that I have drawn closer to God to receive the comfort that only He can give. On the other side of the valley, I find that my faith has grown deeper and stronger. It is for that growth that I can be exceedingly grateful.

Because of my father’s death, a message of sobriety has been shared with nearly 100,000 young people across our country. I have been able to wrap my arms around a teenage girl who is aching for the love of her absent father and tell her that I understand.

Since my daughter’s premature birth, God has allowed me to walk with other families as they ride what is called the “NICU roller coaster.”

During these difficult financial times, I have been able to share how incredibly God takes care of us and provides for all of our needs.
Most importantly, I have been able to share the comfort that can only come from God, the same comfort with which I was comforted.

So while I certainly wish that my father was still alive or that my daughter didn’t have to endure the trauma of an early birth, I can honestly say that, yes, I am thankful. Thankful not necessarily for the circumstance, but rather for the opportunities to share God’s great love that came as a result.

Author Bio: Heather Ablondi is a homeschooling mom to her three preemie princesses. She resides in Fredericksburg, VA with her husband Steven. In her “BC” life (before children), she worked as the Young Driver Safety Program Coordinator for the State of Maryland. She traveled the country for 10 years sharing the story of her father’s life and death with students in an effort to keep them from making the same mistakes. Currently, she shares the messages that God has placed on her heart through her blog and at various women’s ministry events.

You may visit Heather at her blog, Reclaiming Our Royal Inheritance or on Facebook.   

Pausing for Thanksgiving: Tricks and Treats

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
Psalm 100:4

It's November 1st and unlike the retail businesses, we're pressing the pause button instead of fast forwarding into Christmas. We're stopping to open our eyes, slow our pace, and breathe deeply of God's grace, presence, and provision in our daily lives between now and Thanksgiving Day. It's my prayer that you will be inspired to do the same and share your thankfulness with this blogging community.

Our hearts quicken listening to unprecedented October blizzard winds howl. Heavy laden limbs creak cold in midnight winds, then snap. Breath holds while lights flicker, waiting for dark. We pace and pray...pace and pray...ever watching until sleep overwhelms.

Morning light proves snow hit New England hard. Phone lines open. Family all safe. Some sought shelter. Our lives spared. Hot coffee slides down deep warming to our core.

Last night, snowmen dot lawns with jack-o-lantern heads. Giggling, costumed children traipse through green leaves and crunchy snow shouting, "Trick or Treat!"

While many surrounding towns sit dark and cold forced to cancel celebrations, we whisper thanks for God's protection through the storm. Surely, some tricks amongst the treats this Halloween. 

  Lord, we thank your for your protection through this storm. We praise you for family, laughter, and treats and surprises around every corner.

Notice Grace-Gifts

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

I'm a mess. Tears spilling over my cheeks, staining my shirt. God's words, penned by a stranger yet sister in faith, Ann Voskamp, leave me in beautiful ruin. My eyes newly opened to God's extravagant love whispered in ordinary things.

Her God-journey challenges my heart notice Him in the midst of my daily struggle and count my blessings; not for counting's sake but for giving's sake. For if we count our blessings as "things" we tend to hoard and want more. But if we count them as gifts of God's grace, then we are compelled to give thanks and share God's grace-gifts with others.

We enter conversation with God. We step into community with one another. We form relationships that lean to grace, lean on grace, fill with grace. Grace-gifts that are unmerited, but freely given.

With the counting of gifts and the offering of thanks, we fall in love with the God who calls us by name, who fills us with grace and we glow like a blushing bride. His bride. And He, our husband and giver of all good things.

Lord, thank you for your daily, constant grace-gifts. You overwhelm my heart with your love for me until it overflows. Keep me ever conscious of your grace that I may never take you or your love for granted. Teach me to celebrate and give thanks and offer Your grace freely. Amen.

"The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:13