Raising Generations To Have Thankful Hearts

"Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds." Psalm 107:8

Through the years I've really had to make a conscious effort to give thanks to God. I don't know why I had to teach myself this behavior since He is so generous with His giving.

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (1 Chr. 16:34)

Thinking back to my younger days I realize that I had to be taught to say thank you when someone had given me a gift or been thoughtful toward me. As I got older, not having to be reminded by Mama, I was able to express my gratitude in simple things like when someone holds a door open for me or bags my groceries or picks up something I may have dropped. Courtesy goes a long way.

I have been more intune with thanking my God than I did before. I was always quick to pray for situations or happenings or that He would bless me in my many endeavors to then have them come to fruition and forget from where they came from, going about my way.

Thankfully as I've matured in my walk with the Lord I tend to always start my prayers with praise and then head right into thanksgiving. I sometimes list off all that He has done for me and my family with a grateful heart. I make an effort to be more thankful instead of always asking of Him; striving to be more humble. I know He has a plan and I pray for faith to trust Him in those plans.

"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." (Ps. 30:4)

I spent time with my boys when they were young and impressionable, teaching them to always say 'thank you' for the nice things people do for them. I also instilled in them to take time to always thank the Lord for our food and clothing, for our home and friends. For the beautiful paintings Jesus would provide each day when we took the time to look up to the sky (see post; The Ultimate Artist). And now seeing them as adults along with their wives teaching their children to have thankful hearts blesses me beyond measure.

So, I ask myself, why I sometimes fail to thank Him everyday for the air I breathe; for waking me from a night's rest and for allowing me the health I am so blessed to have? Scripture reminds me of these blessings. I pray I will stay in His Word so that verses like this take me back to my childhood of being reminded to be thankful.

Let's read the Word, girls. They are beautiful reminders of how we are to live our lives.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, I praise Your holy name. You are worthy to be praised. Thank You for Your mighty and awesome blessings too numerous for me to count. Thank You for Your unfailing love and Your mercies that are new every morning. I will forever sing Your praise and remember where my hope comes from. In Jesus' name. Amen.