Do I Model Gratefulness?

As we head up to the awesome Thanksgiving holiday, I was recently struck by a couple of conversations I had.  The two conversations had really nothing to do with each other, but as I put them together with a few of my thoughts regarding Thanksgiving this year, I realized something interesting.

I spoke with two parents about their child.  The child had made some surprisingly poor choices and the parents contemplated how this had happened.  The part of the dialogue that struck me squarely was this: the parents told me, "Unfortunately, I think we have made a mistake.  As we have parented these last many years, we have given our child every single thing he wants.  If he asks, he gets it."  I was sad for them as I listened, because they regretted the fact that they had not held back any privilege in order to teach a lesson of gratefulness to their child.

I then thought of my own kids.  In my human nature of love for them, I want to give them every single thing they desire.  However, I realize that doing so is not good for them and their mentality as they mature to adulthood.  They must realize that we have it good here in America.  If I keep dumping toys, video games and other luxuries on them, I fear they will not understand the sacrifice it takes to get those things, nor the immense privilege it is to have any of those items within our grasp.

These thoughts led me to the second conversation I had a while back.  An acquaintance was telling me about the incredible vacation they had been on during the summer.  This trip was no typical weekend in Tahoe.  This was a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable, AWESOME trip!  When I spoke to this person, I wanted to know the details...where did you stay?  What did you see?  Who went with you?  Did you bring home any souvenirs?  Inquiring minds like mine wanted to know everything!  Instead, what I got was an explanation of every little thing that was WRONG about the vacation.  I heard about how hot it was, how limited the airplane legroom was, and how expensive everything was.  Never mind the fact that I would gladly trade places and experience all of these horrible ordeals in a heartbeat!

As I listened to this explanation, I thought to myself, "Aren't we just fortunate to live in a nation where we even have opportunities like that?"  Most of the world's inhabitants will never have a single chance to board an aircraft, let alone a luxury airliner bound for the most gorgeous parts of God's awesome creation.  I then realized that when we model discontent and ungratefulness, our children will pick up on the same behaviors.  This is true for anything.  Our children listen to what we do more than what we say!  I can tell my children about thankfulness, but until I do it, they have no reason to believe it's important.

James 1:17- "Every good and perfect gift is from above."  I pray sincerely to God that my wife and I will deeply root a belief in our children that everything we have comes from God.  He is in charge of our lives and He grants us each breath we ever take.  During Thanksgiving this year, I hope that my whole family enjoys turkey, stuffing and cranberries.  More than that though, I hope we all enjoy and appreciate the indescribable blessings God has poured upon us.

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