Gratitude

When our boys were younger, we'd often sing "Count Your Blessings" as we tucked them in bed at night. It was an active way to focus on God's bountiful provision...and to teach our boys to be watchful and mindful of His loving care for them.

Similarly, when they were much younger, we kept a gratitude journal. Periodically, I'd ask them to list the things for which they were thankful, and I'd record them in our little journal. Even now, my heart wells up as I catch small glimpses into the hearts of my sweet boys.

• 7-27-99 ~ I'm thankful for Mommy who makes such wonderful pancakes. ~ 4-year-old D
• 8-2-99 ~ I'm thankful for Daddy. ~ 2-year-old R
• I'm thankful for T's mommy who makes good food for me when I go to her house. ~ 4-year-old D
• 8-7-99 ~ I'm thankful for Mommy who plays with me. ~ 4-year-old D
• 8-16-99 ~ I'm thankful my birthday is coming up. ~ 4-year-old son
• I'm thankful for my birthday, too! ~ 2-year-old R
• 10-30-99 ~ I'm thankful that God gave me such wonderful friends ~ 4-year-old D
• I'm thankful for videos. ~ 3-year-old R
• 11-2-99 ~ I'm thankful Mommy makes my food. ~ 4-year-old D
• I'm thankful for food, too! ~ 3-year-old R
• 2-9-00 ~ I'm thankful for my best friend, E. ~ 3-year-old R
• 11-00 ~ I'm thankful for family, food, clothes, the Bible, friends ~ 6-year-old D
• 11-01 ~ I'm thankful for my blankie, Pooh Bear, toys, my bed, Daddy & Mommy, my brothers, friends ~ 5-year-old R
• I'm thankful for my family, that we live close to a nice lake, grandmas and grandpas close-by, warm beds, nice house, blankies, toys, a nice climbing tree, the Bible, that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, clothes, and food. ~ 7-year-old D
• 11-03 ~ I'm thankful for my dog, Gunnar, family, friends, food, toys, and turkey. ~ 9 year-old D
• 11-04 ~ I'm thankful for my blankie, Daddy & Mommy, my brothers, grandmas and grandpas, uncles and aunts, animals, sports, videos, games, church ~ 5-year-old L
• I'm thankful for my blankie, Pooh Bear, Mommy & Daddy, grandmas and grandpas, cousins, my brothers, my bed, my house, animals, the Thanksgiving meal, and my dog, Gunnar ~ 8-year-old R
• I'm thankful for Mom and Dad, Jesus, cousins, turkey, K'Nex, Legos, my brothers, that Mommy came out of surgery okay, Gunnar, friends, grandmas and grandpas ~ 10-year-old D

Oh, those simple memories make my heart smile. Yet, sadly, my good intentions are often just that, and the gratitude journal seemingly got lost in the shuffle of day-to-day living.

I've been pondering this recently, wondering how we're doing at instilling a heart of gratitude in our boys. Or perhaps more pointedly, how are we doing at modeling a heart of gratitude before our boys? What do they see in me?

• Do they see a heart that is grateful for the worn 15-year-old couch I've recently been heard complaining about?
• Do they see a heart that is trusting in God alone when the economy is rocky?
• Do they see a heart that is willing to give God thanks, even for those things for which I may never have the privilege of understanding?
• Do they see a heart overflowing with thanks when God chooses to answer my prayers in a way contrary to how I'd prayed He might?
• Do they see a heart that consistently points to God as the Giver of all good things, rather than taking that honor upon myself?

Oh, I'm thankful for family and beds and blankies and all those things that bring me comfort and security. But this season, my prayer is that I'll be thankful for those things that don't necessarily bring me comfort; those things that are downright painful or difficult to understand. For it's those things that send me running headlong to my Father. It's those things that press me into Him and conform me to His image.

And that's what I want...