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Cultivating A Heart of Thankfulness

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A thankful heart is a choice. It’s waking up each morning and recognizing that we have lots to be thankful for. It’s choosing to see the good in a bad situation or at least choosing to recognize that despite the outcome, there is good somewhere. Even if it’s the fact that you were able to open your eyes and see what is around you.

                  A thankful heart takes practice and is cultivated over time. It is maintained despite the circumstances we find ourselves in. A few years ago, I had stopped to talk to an elderly lady before service and asked how she was doing. She had some concerns, but as we closed our conversation, she concluded that it was all good because God was good. That interaction has stayed with me. Despite the troubles, worries and concerns she had, she was still thankful because God is good. As influencers of children, are we modelling this in our own lives? Can we say, I am struggling, but God is good? That I am thankful for the air I breathe and that I’m not walking this alone? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Do we model this to our children? If we desire to raise up godly disciples of Jesus, part of this is modelling and encouraging the children in our care to put this into practice. How does one do this?

First, you need to check your own heart. Where are you at? It’s easy to be thankful when times are good, but what happens when things get tough? What is your immediate response? Unsure? Check what you are saying. Words can be a very telling state of our heart. Are you prone to choose words of gratitude or complaining? Does your initial reaction lean towards negativity or positivity? Even if you never utter a word to a child or have the time and space to practice some of the below activities, they listen and watch. Hearts of gratitude are easily picked up on and can guide a child’s own walk.

If you are unsure of where to begin, check out the following ways to encourage thankful hearts in your kids:

  1. Thankful pumpkins: Grab a pumpkin (or two) and some permanent markers. Write what you are thankful for around the pumpkin. You can also invite visiting family and friends to add to the pumpkin. It’s a great way to see the blessings that God is giving you. You may want to do this throughout the month by adding some each day or week.

2. Thankful trees/garland: head to Dollarama to grab some “I am thankful” leaves or make some of your own. You can print some off here. Pick a space on your wall, and have family members add a new leaf each day. To create a more tree look, you can create branches from paper or use a large piece of butcher block paper and draw a trunk with some branches to put the leaves on.

Thankful Tree

3. Daily Gratitude: find time each day to talk about one to three things members of your family are thankful for. Around the dining room table, in the car or in bed are great opportunities for this. For those who are influencers, you can ask the children in your care as you see them.

4. Gratitude jars: Remember the goodness of God by writing down the things God has blessed your with. This can be done over one month, six months or one year. Every time something happens or you find something to be grateful for, you write it down and add it to the jar. Then, as a family, take some time at the end of your chosen time to go through the jar and celebrate. You may also want to visit this jar when things seem dark and lonely or when you are wanting to celebrate something. An alternative is to create a gratitude list where family members can add their items to create one long list.

Remember, discipling our children does not have to be an expensive or strenuous task. The best way to do so is to meet our children (or the ones in your care) where they are at and bring them into the goodness of Christ. Being thankful is an easy starting point, especially since life can get tough and seem dark. A heart of gratitude can take you a long way.


Kristen Cowman is the Children & Family Director at Parliament Community Church in Regina, SK, Which is located near Harbour Landing. As a church, we offer programs for all ages, from children to youth, young adults to Seniors who are part of our Heritage groups. We are also diverse in cultural backgrounds but share a desire to grow as disciples of Christ together.

Graphics used with permission from Canva Pro. Granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use the designs, images, and elements provided within Canva Pro for commercial and personal use, subject to the terms outlined in the Canva License Agreement. We have permission to use the content in marketing materials, social media, websites, presentations, and more.