I'm not sure where I heard it, but I've found the saying, "A thankful heart is a happy heart!" to be true. Kids who are grumpy, complaining, contentious, and surly are not mindful of their many blessings. They don't seem to have any idea what other, less fortunate kids experience.
I have found my responsibility to be two fold in this area. Show them how to be thankful, and teach them about those less fortunate. Well, maybe three fold, because my example plays a huge part in all of this since; 'children more attention pay, to what you do than what you say'!
The teaching comes up in many conversations throughout our day. As we make a bed we can talk about how God has blessed us with our beds and how some children may not have something so nice to sleep on every night. When we put our clothes away, how blessed we are to have clothes and a dresser. When I can sit on the couch and read a book to them, how many children aren't able to be with their mommy while she works. When Jeff does his nightly bible studies, how some children don't even know who their daddy is, let alone see him every day. And the list goes on and on...cars, a home, groceries, books, homeschooling, etc., etc.
They need to know about, and be exposed to, children/people with such illnesses that they are in hospitals on holidays and birthdays. They have to have shots and medicines on a regular basis. Some may not have arms and legs that work or even the ability to breath on their own. There is always some one in a far worse situation than we could ever complain about!
Then to show them how to be thankful. I make a point of showing them little things done for them throughout the day to be thankful for. If someone gets them a drink or does something out of their way for them, I want them to be sure to tell them 'thank you!' to acknowledge their efforts. I talk about how nice their sibling is to have done that and how much they must love them! When they are little I will tell them (teach them and train them) to go tell them 'thank you!' and give them a hug! We thank God for our meals and thank the person(s) who helped perpare them. This isn't something that I have to nag them to constantly do, it's been habbit.
I like to write thank you notes for any kind deed or gesture, and then have all the kids sign the card on their own. Even if they are too little to write I will trace their hand and talk to them about what we are doing and why. We pray for people who have blessed us, thank God for bringing them into our lives, and for God to bless them in return. I teach them to verbally express their thankfulness, and it's just not acceptable to have an unwilling, flippant attitude in doing so. (That's selfishness and rude and is disciplined promptly!)
I pray that we are mindful of others, thankful for family and friends that God has brought in our path. That thankfulness becomes a habbit, so that when hard times and trials come, which they will, it is our first inclination to still be thankful! That no matter what our situation is, we can always find many blessings to count!
James 1:2-5 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
