Every November, many of us share “25 Days of Gratitude” on social media to honor all the blessings God has placed in our lives. However, this habit of gratitude should start long before you are old enough to have a digital presence. In fact, the Bible tells us to lead our prayers with a heart of gratitude and praise God for his providence and provision before we begin our list of requests. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in all circumstances, by prayer and supplications, present your requests to God, with thanksgiving.””
An attitude of gratitude prepares us spiritually for continued blessings from God. How often have we been so focused on grumbling and complaining about what we think we want or need that we have failed to recognize important and revealing gifts from God? Without a doubt, my selfish tunnel vision often blinded me to the goodness around me.
I realized that I tended to complain and let fear organize my prayers based on something other than gratitude. Now that my son is born, I am even more aware of the need to refocus my prayer life and actively praise God for his continued mercy and grace. As a parent, I need to introduce simple gratitude habits. Even for young children who won’t sit still long enough to participate in something too complicated.
As a mother (and a woman who has worked with three Christian families and been a nanny for five years), I have discovered several gratitude habits that work for all ages and are easy to cultivate. If you’re looking for new ways to get your kids’ minds focused on gratitude this Thanksgiving, consider these fun ideas for celebration.
1. Praise the pumpkin
One family I babysat had a pumpkin on the fireplace and each day the two girls (18 months and 3 years old) had to say one thing they were grateful for. Then the parents wrote those things on the pumpkin with a marker. To be honest, some of the things my kids were grateful for were hysterical, especially since 18 month olds have limited vocabulary. Nevertheless, my parents told me that the girls looked forward to rushing to the pumpkins every morning and giving them what they were grateful for that day.
No matter your child’s age, consider having a praise pumpkin in your home. You can place it anywhere you like, such as the fireplace, kitchen table, or front porch. Each day, ask your children to say one thing they are grateful for or praise God for.
We recommend that your family sit together and do this activity, whether it’s at breakfast, dinner, or before bed. You can also have older children write the answers or lead the activity for their younger siblings. We can easily forget the influence that older children have on younger children, and that tweens and teens should be placed in a position to lead, especially in faith-based capacities.
On the other hand, parents must remember that gratitude is essential to the health of the human mind and body. What to tell our children who They have even more to be thankful for. James 1:17 says:Every good and perfect gift is from above, descending from the Father of heavenly lights, unchanging like shifting shadows.”
When our children recognize the importance of daily gratitude and develop a humble attitude toward God, we can instill an abiding and everlasting peace, even on days when they may not find anything to be thankful for. This faith-based practice becomes necessary as adulthood comes with greater responsibilities and realities.
2. Gratitude Tree
I recently saw this Gratitude Tree idea and am looking forward to trying it out this year with my 2 year old son (although he turns most crafts and creative presentations into weapons). Go to your backyard and find a good-sized branch with lots of small branches, or buy a small fake tree at your local craft store. Display it as a centerpiece on your dining room table or as a focal point in another space in your home. (You need to create a stable base so the tree can stand upright and balance.)
Prepare some autumn-colored construction paper and cut out small leaves. Place a pile of leaves under the tree and have the children write down one thing they are grateful for each day. Take small clothespins and pin leaves to small branches of the tree.
start this exercise November 1stWhen Thanksgiving comes, the gratitude tree will be filled with bright leaves and the most tender handwritten pieces of a child’s heart. On Thanksgiving Day, consider adding leaves for each family member to complete your gratitude tree. Feeling of gratitude.
3. “I am grateful for…” tablecloth
It’s amazing for a child to witness the whole family coming together to praise and give thanks to God. It is a legacy that will remain in their hearts forever. To express your gratitude this year, we recommend making an “I Am Thankful for…” tablecloth.To give congratulations. (If you don’t have Thanksgiving at home, why not ask your host family if you can come a few minutes early and put up an “I Am Thankful for…” tablecloth?)
These tablecloths are easy to make and inexpensive. All you need is a paper bulletin board long enough to fit your table. Most people choose traditional brown, but other fall colors are also perfect. At each place setting, take a marker and write “I am grateful for…” and draw three numbered lines below it. There, each person can write three things they are grateful for this year. (Feel free to add fun designs, decorations, and borders if your child is really excited.)
Once everyone is seated and filled out their list, ask each person to circle and share the three things they are most grateful for. Another option is to use this as a prayer prompt. Before the meal, everyone can sit in a circle and thank God for the things on the list.
This is a great way for children to witness each family member audibly thanking and praising God. This is an even better way for children to practice being thankful for God’s goodness in their lives. (And what a blessing to hear children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, share how they see God’s faithful hand in their lives!)
eternal attitude of mind
Thanksgiving grew out of a historic meal where Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered to celebrate surviving a harsh winter that left many people without the necessities of life. Although Native Americans did not practice Christianity, the Pilgrims used this opportunity to praise and praise God, especially for his undeniable providence and provision. Such loss and suffering.
This Thanksgiving, remember that no matter where life takes you or what life takes from you, gratitude should last forever. It is a constant focus on Christ as our sustainer who will lead us to eternal glory where heartache and loss will cease to exist. It is our honor and command as parents to train our children in this beautiful truth.
“Set your children in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not depart from the path” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Bohdan Bevz
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
