In the Know – Thankfulness: Taught or Caught?
“What do you want for Christmas?”
…a question I have asked my kids over the years.
Some years, I didn’t ask; yet “the list” was still.
Have some of you already received a long list from your teen? All set for Black Friday?
This year, Americans will spend over 447 billion dollars on Christmas. Are my kids picking up from the frenzy that completion comes from what you own?
Materialism saturates our season – how can we possibly instill hearts that are thankful?
Here are some things I have tried or will be trying this Christmas season:
1) Serve with your child. Our family will be spending an evening out at Samaritian’s Purse preparing boxes to be shipped with Operation Christmas child.
2) Adopt a family. Be sure and buy the gifts together and if possible, deliver them together. Our family did this one year; the looks on the family’s faces really drove home that it is better to give than receive.
3) Madi, my thirteen year old, said: “Be thankful yourself. As you are thankful, your child will see and copy.” Is she preaching to me?!
4) My husband Greg said, “Call one family and tell them that you are thankful for them. After you call, ask them to call another.”
5) Say the “thanks” you would share at a dear one’s funeral TODAY! Be sure your teen is near so they can appreciate your loved one as well.
Thankfulness, just like any other trait, is more caught than taught. Make thankfulness contagious in your family this holiday season!
Enjoy this special time with family and friends; I’ll see you on Monday!
Happy Thanksgiving. Savour the family time and the meal.
Thanks for the holiday greetings! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Lynn