Thankful Thursday #1

A few weeks ago, I read a post on Pinterest about how to have grateful, joyfilled kids. I have blogged about this before, which you can read here. It is my most popular post, so it must be ok! ;-D

The Pinterest pin/ blog post was partially based on this book, which I have just begun reading and I am really enjoying it so far!

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. You can find out more about this book here.

Romans 11:36 says, "All things exist from Him and through Him and to Him..." Which of God's gifts are you most thankful for? Your spouse? Home? Health? Children? Work? Friends? Ultimately, God created and controls all that you treasure.

Here is my first list of 7 things I am thankful for:
1. My wonderful, supportive, loving husband
2. My beautiful, helpful, growing daughter Rebekah
3. My athletic, bold, strong son Caleb
4. My funny, smart, creative daughter Mallory
5. My sweet, cute, silly daughter Bethany
6. My God and the relationship I have with Him, growing daily.
7. My parents, their support, listening ears and friendship

Once you have written a list each day, (Or week) acknowledge God is the source for each one. Tell Him that you know He is in charge of this moment, that He always has been and always will be. Then PRAISE HIM! Give God the Glory for His mighty works you are enjoying in your life today. (paraphrased from NIV Womens' Study Bible, pg. 2058)

To help cultivate an "attitude of gratitude" with our kids, I have found praying for them is at the top of the list to start. Here is a gratitude prayer for kids, on the prayer guide which says: "Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:20 & Colossians 2:7

I also like this printable download here to write daily thankfulnesses on, usable for one week. (7 blanks each day)

Other ideas to encourage thankfulness is to write what are you thankful for? on a mirror, chalkboard, etc., and let others write on it. I've drawn a grateful tree on our wall, and have chalk alongside it. I may try the mirror idea too (from Pinterest blog post)! You can also "count your blessings", and play that game each evening at the dinner table. We have a count your blessings book, and wall hanging too!

 Just a short distance under the Count Your Blessings wall hanging going down the stairs, are these four pictures, take by a family friend-- LOVE THEM!

I also encourage the children to write thank you notes, and to even write a sticky note to another person.
You can have a journal open all of the time on the counter and write what you are thankful for up to 1000 times, like the book. What a great perspective to have and to give our children to cultivate daily!

We truly have too much to be thankful for, we could fill journals and books. We forget how much we have and how much we have been given each and every day by God. Why not tell him today that you are thankful?

Psalm 136:1

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Psalm 138:1-2
"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;...I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness..."

There are SO many great Bible verses on thankfulness and being thankful, I can't wait to share more of them with you!

So each Thursday, I am going to be posting about our thankfulnesses of the week. (at least for the summer, while my American Girl classes are not in session!)