Today we have Jenny, one of our new contributors, from The Sweet Stuff sharing with us:
We know we are to teach our children God’s words and ways.
In Deuteronomy we are told to “teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, “
So, as we enter this season of gratitude, how can we teach our children to, “give thanks in all circumstances,” as we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:18?
Although it seems as though toddlers are never sitting down, there are strategic times throughout the day when those little bodies are still. These are wonderful opportunities to pour into their hearts and minds God’s words regarding thankfulness.
For our family, meal times are wonderful for sitting and teaching. Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea time, and Dinner. These still moments are perfect for discussing your blessings and the things you are grateful for in your lives or to read from God’s word.
This month our family has been filling out “thankful leaves” when we sit down to eat or craft or drink a warm beverage. Simple construction paper cut into leaf shapes serves to foster discussion on things we are grateful for.
“Walking by the Way”
Walking or being out and about provides numerous occasions to teach expressions of gratitude. From pointing out sunsets, brightly colored trees, or other beauties of nature to discussing who the man is holding the cardboard sign on the corner, there are many moments in our day when we can reveal to our children what we can be grateful for.
This week my toddlers and I were caught in a light sprinkle on the way home from the park. As we shook off damp clothes and headed inside for snuggly blankets and some reading time, we discussed how grateful we should always be for our home no matter its size because there are many people who do not have homes to protect them from the rain.
“When you Lie Down”
Bedtime is a sweet time for our family. We often discuss good portions of our day as well as the rough patches. Then, we pray. Daddy prays first and then each child thanks God for something from that day.
Teaching our children to be intentionally grateful and to seek out their blessings can be as simple as them whispering, “Thank you God that I played outside today.”
Filling our home with scripture and written reminders of our blessings is a wonderful way to keep gratitude on our hearts. Whether you are making a thankful list with your children or hanging scripture about thankfulness, these visual reminders will foster a spirit of gratitude.
The Bible teaches that we are to be thankful for all things. Not merely when our life is working out the way we want or when we receive a lovely gift. Rather we are to appreciate all that has already been given and to remain thankful even when times are tough.
This Thanksgiving season, let’s teach our children this biblical view on gratitude. Let’s teach them thankfulness in all things as we sit, walk, lie down, and write. We don’t have to follow a specific plan or rigid lesson. We can simply make gratitude a part of our everyday moments.
