Thankfulness and gratitude are two words that should be ingrained in the hearts of our children.  Too often expectation has replaced sincere thankfulness.  Children expect Christmas and birthday presents.  They expect the value of their gifts to be at least equal to or greater than the gifts received by brothers, sisters and even friends.

Where are the joyful screams of pure delight as gifts are opened?  Do we hear a “thank you” to the maids who daily clean our rooms or the gardeners who carefully care for our gardens?  Instead do we hear, “I really wanted …!” or “Why didn’t you do ….?”  Do our graduating high school students expect to go somewhere exotic for their Promo?  Do we expect our government officials to solve all our problems?  Do we have attitudes of thankfulness or expectation?

 But wait a moment!  From whom do our children learn the art of thankfulness?  Isn’t it from us adults?  My wife is a master of giving sincere thanks.  She’ll thank the seller for giving her good fruit from his cart.  She’ll thank our children for making their beds in the morning before going to school – even though that’s their job.  She’ll thank me for sweeping the sidewalk or taking the garbage out.  When I hear my son thanking his tennis coach after a practice or see my daughter thank the colonel at the hypodromo for her horse lessons, I know they have learned that from their mother.

 When we sacrifice our time, finances or even career to serve our family, church or friends who are sick, don’t we love to hear a “Thank you very much!”  It’s not that we serve in order to get a “Thank you!”  We serve because we love to, but you and I love to be appreciated.  Others do as well.  What are we doing to cheer another person with a thank you?  Usually when we receive thanks, we look all the harder for how we can serve that person again.  In business, I will always try to serve the grateful ones more than those who just expect my service – its human nature.  When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one returned to give thanks.  Jesus blessed him for his humble attitude of thankfulness.  Are we modeling and teaching our children the attitude of sincere thankfulness?

 None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.