Thanksgiving and Being Truly Thankful People!

Thanksgiving is just a few days away . . . so of course, we all tend to think and talk about being thankful. Thankfulness; however; should be more than something we just think and talk about. What does a thankful life look like? We want our grandchildren to be people who are truly thankful, so we need to be sure to help them to understand what a truly thankful life looks like when it is lived in their every day lives. Consider the following . . . 

• First of all, a thankful person will voice their appreciation. When we are thankful, we do remember to take the time to say, "thank you!" A number of years ago my husband and I took our then three year old grandson shopping. One of our stops was Sam's Club. As he sampled some ice cream, he told the sample lady, "Thank you!". She said, "Wow! This little boy is the only person today who has said thank you!" Sadly, all too often, people do not say thank you. A thankful person will tell others "Thank you". If your grandchildren have not learned to say "thank you", be sure to help them learn this most basic way to really be a thankful person. Showing good manners by saying "thank you" is more than just having good etiquette . . . it is about living and showing a "grace-filled" life! Check the Manners Mentor Blog for great information and resources for all you could ever need to know about manners!
• A thankful person will also show their appreciation. If you only "say" you are thankful, but never "show" your appreciation, your "thanks" will not seem real. As just mentioned, be sure to say "thank you", but pay attention. Watch to see if there are opportunities for you to "show" your appreciation as well. If someone has helped you in the past and you see an opportunity to help them, it gives you the chance to show your appreciation when you do so. Plan opportunities for your grandchildren to show their appreciation to others. For example, if a neighbor or friend is ill, have your grandchildren plan a way to do something for them - make cards, write notes, make soup, go to their home to rake leaves, shovel snow, or even do the dishes. Help them learn to be people who not only "say" they are thankful, but rather are people who "show" they are thankful!
• A thankful person will also become a giving person. When we are truly thankful for the many ways God blesses us, our thankfulness will overflow into the lives of others! Look for opportunities to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and equip your grandchildren so they are people whose thankfulness overflows out of their lives and into the lives of others! When you involve your grandchilden in projects to gather food for those in your church and community who are hungry or raise money so children around the world are able to have clean, safe water or any other service project, you are providing them opportunities to let their thankfulness flow into the lives of others!

A truly thankful life is one where saying and showing appreciation becomes second nature. As you celebrate this "thanksgiving season", be sure to focus on helping your grandchildren understand what a truly thankful life looks like!