Thanksgiving is a unique holiday. It celebrates an attitude rather than a person or event. I never understood just how special it was until living overseas in a non-American context and realizing that oops, not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. But we have continued the rather odd seeming traditions that entail a big bird and stuffing ourselves with lot’s of scrumptious food. And of course, my family, like many, has always carried the tradition of going around the table and acknowledging the blessings in our lives, both big and small, sharing what we are most thankful for.

And, well, it usually stops there.

It wasn’t until several years ago when my dad took a moment to read a quote out loud at the feasting table, that I realized our ‘auto-pilot mode’ of giving thanks needed some tweaks. The quote said these simple words:

“Thanksgiving…is a day set aside, not just to stuff ourselves with turkey, but to find in our hearts a moment to thank the God who provides that food, and every other grace from which we benefit.”

The Blessings Versus the Blesser

It reminded me that this day we call Thanksgiving is not merely about giving thanks for the blessings themselves, but directing our thanks towards the Blesser Himself. Such a subtle, yet significant shift.

I love how Henri J. M. Nouwen puts it,

“Gratitude…goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift… it is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all that I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”

Living as if All of Life is a Gift

This year, as I take on the COVID-induced responsibility of educating my children at home, I am realizing how important it is not to make any assumptions when it comes to Thanksgiving. I will not assume my children know we are to direct our praise and thanksgiving to God. So how will I do it? How will I begin to cultivate in the young and brittle hearts I’ve been given to steward, attitudes that are steeped in gratitude towards the One who has given us everything in the first place? How will I weave this truth into our every day until it becomes as natural to them as the air we breathe?

In a world that increasingly screams messages of entitlement, it seems all the more important to bring attitudes of gratitude into the little every day routines of our lives. Not as a rushing tidal wave, but as a gentle trickle.

5 Ways to Cultivate Attitudes of Gratitude in Your Home

Here are a few ideas I will be incorporating into my own family routines this week (and beyond) and hope they will stir your hearts to begin (or continue) intentionally sowing seeds of gratitude into your own children’s lives, one day at a time:

1. Memorize a short verse. 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” This is a good one to teach young children and play a game by assigning parts/phrases 1, 2 and 3. Go around saying the lines in turn until you all find yourselves shouting the words at the top of your lungs. I did this today with my 3 and 5-year-old and it was fun! Treasuring God’s Word in our hearts is a great way to remember truths about God and I am always amazed at how much children absorb and remember even at their young ages. Go here for more Thanksgiving Bible verse and lesson ideas.
2. Mealtimes. Mention something you are grateful for each breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and go around and ask your child what they are thankful for. Encourage them to get creative and nothing is too small to thank God for.
3. Bedtime prayers. Thank God for the things He has blessed you with as part of your bedtime prayers.
4. List-making. Keep a written list where it is visible and can be added to daily. As you revisit your list, talk about how these blessings – big and small – come from God.
5. In good times and in bad. When you or your child are facing a challenge, try and think of three things you are thankful for – it can help put things into perspective for you and for them.

Those are just a few simple ideas to cultivate attitudes of gratitude in your own heart and home and to direct your thanks towards God, the ultimate Blesser. What ideas would you add?

As we embark on another year of our country’s tradition of partaking in the usual delights of turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie, may we all, wherever we are in the world, never forget the God from whom all these blessings flow. May we remove the focus from ourselves and direct it towards the Author and Creator of our souls, the Provider of all our needs big and small.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

PSALM 136 (1-9, 23-26)

Give thanks TO the Lord, for he is good…Give thanks TO the God of gods…Give thanks TO the Lord of lords…to him who alone does great wonders…who by his understanding made the heavens… who spread out the earth upon the waters….who made the great lights…the sun to govern the day…the moon and stars to govern the night…He remembered us in our lowly estate…and freed us from our enemies…he gives food to every creature…Give thanks TO the God of heaven…His love endures FOREVER.”Amen!

Need a Coach to Help You in Your Quest to Become More Grateful?

Developing a more grateful outlook is something that can easily be addressed in the context of a coaching conversation where goals are set, obstacles are addressed, action plans are created and accountability is put in place to make sure you actually do what you say you’re going to do. Check out my coaching page here if you’d like to explore the opportunity to work together. I look forward to hearing from you!