Creating a Culture of Thankfulness in Your Home

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In today’s fast-paced world, gratitude often feels like an overlooked part of life—especially for many of us in the typical American household. We’re surrounded by so much that it can be easy to focus on what we don’t have instead of the abundance God has blessed us with. And yet, as Christian parents, gratitude can become a beautiful part of our everyday walk with God—a discipline we model for our children, so they, too, can learn to live with thankfulness.

As Christians, we’re called to be joyful and thankful in all circumstances because of God’s love through Christ. This heart of gratitude should shine brightest in our homes, filling our daily routines and the way we interact with each other. Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday; it’s a way of life for us as followers of Jesus. We thank God not only for material blessings but also for spiritual and relational ones. The truth is, our children often “catch” gratitude by watching us model it in our everyday actions.

Practicing Gratitude in Good Times

When things are going well, it’s easy to take credit for our happiness, forgetting that God is the true giver of all good things. In these moments, we can pause and point out to our kids that these blessings are not something we earn or deserve—they’re gifts from our loving Father. Whether it’s something as small as a sunny day, a good meal, or family time together, we can use these moments to teach our children that every blessing, big or small, is a reason to thank God.

When bigger blessings come our way—like a new family member, a job promotion, or a fun family vacation—those are also chances to show generosity and gratitude. Perhaps we can set aside money to help someone in need or use our health and energy to serve a neighbor. These actions teach our kids that thankfulness isn’t just about words; it’s about a lifestyle of generosity, remembering that everything we have is from God.

Practicing Gratitude in Hard Times

Gratitude in hard times may not come naturally, but it’s often in those challenging seasons that our kids learn some of life’s deepest lessons. When we face trials, our response can show our children that God is still good, even when life doesn’t feel easy. We can share stories of God’s faithfulness and remind them that He cares for us in unique ways during hardship. Sometimes that comfort comes from a kind word from a friend, a timely Bible verse, or the support of our church family.

As we walk through challenges with our kids, we can point them to God’s constant presence, even when life is hard. This doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine, but rather showing them that we trust God’s plan and that we can still find reasons to be grateful, knowing that He is with us through every trial. These moments help our children see that God is faithful and trustworthy, giving them a strong foundation to face their own challenges someday.

Practical Ways to Build Gratitude in Your Home

When our children were little, we began to make gratitude a daily part of our family life in simple ways. Here are a few ideas that have helped our family grow in thankfulness:

1. Family Prayers of Thanks: We make a habit of thanking God during family prayers—at meals, bedtime, and during family worship times. This sets a foundation of gratitude that we build on daily.
2. Family Huddle: During dinner, we often gather for what we call our Daily Family Huddle, where each of us shares one thing we’re thankful for from the day. It’s a sweet time for us to look back on small and big blessings together.
3. Thank You Notes: When we receive gifts, we take the time to write thank you notes, teaching our kids to express gratitude not only to God but to those around us as well.
4. Serving Together: When we travel for international volunteer trips or serve others in our community, we’re often reminded of the everyday blessings we might overlook, like clean water or electricity. Serving others opens our eyes to God’s goodness and helps us be grateful for His provision in our lives.

A Grateful Home

As Christian parents, a spirit of humble and joyful thankfulness should be our goal. Whether life is going smoothly or we’re in the midst of struggles, we can model thankfulness as an act of obedience to God and give Him glory. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:6-7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Key Points

• Remember the Source: Teach your kids that all blessings come from God, not from anything we’ve earned.
• Trust God in Hard Times: Show gratitude in trials, knowing God uses challenges to grow us and draw us closer to Him.
• Build a Legacy of Thankfulness to God: By practicing gratitude, you’re creating a home where joy and thanksgiving can be passed down to future generations.