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Thanksgiving Day is often when many people slow down to count their blessings and express gratitude. However, it’s important that we develop a habit of practicing thankfulness on a daily basis. As women and keepers of the home, we can cultivate a daily attitude of gratitude within our families and homes.
Practicing Gratitude in Our Personal Lives
In order to cultivate an attitude of gratitude within our husbands, children, and homes we must first maintain this attitude ourselves. Humans are naturally inclined to focus on what’s going wrong and complain about it. We have to retrain ourselves to practice gratitude.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Start your day each morning by writing 5 things that you are grateful for. It could be small things or big things, but the point is to start your day with thankfulness. You can also end your day by thanking God for all the good that you’ve experienced.
All throughout the Bible we are instructed to rejoice and give thanks. It’s quite obvious that having a daily heart of thankfulness is important to God.
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Not only is it important that we thank God for His goodness on a daily basis, but we should also make it a habit to express our gratitude to the people around us. The simple way to do this is by practicing basic manners and saying “thank you” when someone does something for us. However, we can go deeper with this by telling those we love what we appreciate about them.
Express Appreciation to Your Husband
One thing that I’ve seen circulating online has been women proudly declaring that they will not thank their husbands for doing everyday things. This is the wrong attitude for women to have. In the Bible, God gives us instructions as wives to respect, submit, reverence, and obey our husbands.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 NKJV
We must first have the right heart posture toward God and our husbands. When we do, we will understand that it is wise to express gratitude and appreciation for him even in the small things. This includes when he does a task that you would expect him to do just because he is a “grown man”.
In addition to expressing appreciation to our husbands in private, we should make it a point to do it publicly. Be sure to allow your children to hear and see you expressing your appreciation and gratitude toward your man too because this is how they learn.
Modeling an Attitude of Gratitude for Our Children
As mothers raising children, we must be intentional about modeling an attitude of gratitude for our children. We can do this by allowing our children to hear us thank the man for holding open the door to the doctor’s office.
Let them witness your expression of gratitude toward the girl who bagged your groceries at the store. Let them hear you thank your family members for something kind they did for you. Model for them what it looks like to be thankful to God. Let them hear you praise Him for opening up that parking spot right in front of the door when you’re going shopping.
"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:2
Children will do what they see you do. They learn by observation. Show them how to live a life of thankfulness by having an attitude of gratitude.
Teaching Thankfulness to Our Children
In addition to modeling an attitude of gratitude to your children, you should also explicitly teach thankfulness. Teach them to say thank you when someone does something kind for them. Explain to them the goodness of God and train them to acknowledge Him and be thankful.
Hold them accountable. Don’t allow them to complain. Train them to find the good and positive in situations and to be grateful. As mothers, we can’t let things slide or sweep things under the rug. If we don’t teach our children to be grateful and appreciative, how will they learn?
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Show them what God says about giving thanks and rejoicing and praising Him. Make it an expectation in your home. It is our responsibility as mothers to teach and train our children.
A Home Full of Gratefulness
A home full of gratefulness is cultivated when everyone in the household has an attitude of gratitude.
You as the wife and mother are practicing gratitude daily. Your husband is doing the same and you’ve raised your children to have an attitude of gratitude.
When you express appreciation, respect, and reverence to your husband, he will respond in kind. Even if your husband needs a little work in this season, God’s word is true. It says that even if your man isn’t doing right, you can win him over with your conduct. You must commit to doing the right thing and being obedient to God’s word.
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives. 1 Peter 3:1 NKJV
If you start training your children while they are young, they will have mastered this skill once they are older. However, depending on where you and your family are on this journey, it may take a little longer to get there because some negative habits and attitudes may need to be unlearned first. Pray and ask the Lord to help you and your family be more grateful on a daily basis.
Benefits of Having an Attitude of Gratitude
There are benefits that come with having an attitude of gratitude.
When we are grateful we can:
- improve our sleep
- boost our mood
- increase immunity
- reduce the risk of disease
- decrease depression
- lessen anxiety
- reduce stress
- improve mental health
- improve physical health
- boost self-esteem
Our thoughts and attitudes impact our health. Remember this as you live your day-to-day life. Be intentional.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything give thanks!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
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Excellent encouragement with lots of scriptures to inspire us to live with gratitude. Thanks for sharing, Larissa!
Thank you for your feedback! Blessings!