My good friend, the late brother Avon Malone, used to say,
“True thanksgiving comes from thanks-living.”
So true. A home that is full of thanks is a home that lives a thankful lifestyle. Families who gripe, sulk, or complain have no room for thankful hearts. On the other hand, families who make a decision to be content, joyful, and peaceful produce thankful homes.
God calls His children to be thankful people. Read these powerful verses:
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”…1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”…Philippians 4:6
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful“…Colossians 3:15
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving“…Colossians 4:2
Please allow me to share three points that we tried to practice in our home with the intention of raising thankful-hearted children.
First, we worked on being PURPOSEFUL in our thanksgiving. This means we do not hone in on being thankful just one month out of the year (although I certainly love that our country emphasizes it in November due to America’s history!) We must deliberately practice Thanksgiving year-round! This comes from sitting down at the dinner table or while lying down to sleep and sharing what we are thankful for and what God did for us today.
Second, we worked on setting the EXAMPLE of Thanksgiving in our home. Parents who are discontent and ungrateful for the blessings of God raise children and grandchildren who are unappreciative of God’s blessings as well. This means we should speak of our blessings every day. We should praise God in front of our children. They should see us praising Him during the “stormy nights” and during the “peaceful days.”
Third, we worked on REMINDING them to be thankful for all that God has done and is doing for us. We all need to be reminded of how active our God is in our lives! This is why the above verse says,
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”…Colossians 4:2
One great way to remind your family to be thankful is to read the Psalms together. David gives thanks to God time and again in his writings, and it will bless the one who reads them repeatedly.
May God help us raise families who have grateful hearts all year round!
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations”…Psalm 100:4-5
Steve Minor
Steve was born in Hollis, OK. Steve graduated from Oklahoma Christian with a degree in Youth Ministry in 1998. OC is where Steve met the love of his life, Stephani Jimenez, and married in 1996. The Lord gave them three amazing children: Micah (husband, Joel Turner), Mason, and Makenna.
Steve & Stephani have worked for congregations in Texas and Oklahoma. Steve is the founder and director of Legacy Family Camp each October to equip and strengthen families and the MIGHTY Men’s Mentoring Conference each January to train and strengthen men to be leaders.
Steve is the preaching minister for the Wylie Church of Christ in Wylie, Texas.
