Raising Thankful Hearts: A Thanksgiving Shift for Moms & Kids

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV *

If your family, like many, feels overwhelmed by distressing news and the state of our world, thanksgiving can shift things. For me, “thanksgiving” meant turkeys, stuffing, Macy’s Day parades, and too many hours of excitable voices of sports announcers blaring from the TV. I wasn’t a big fan of the holiday…until I discovered the power in the simple act of “giving thanks.” That’s when I realized this is something worth celebrating—and teaching to the next generation.

Thanksgiving is a key to joy. It’s the pathway to a transformed mind and a heart of faith. And, it changes those around us. No wonder it’s God’s will for us.

Thanksgiving is transformational

The act of giving thanks shifts your thinking from gloom to joy naturally, as you think about what you’ve been given rather than what you don’t have. But have you stopped to think how it also transforms those around you? Remember the grumpy cashier you thanked with a smile? It changed her attitude, even if just for a minute. What would happen if our children consistently showed kindness by thanking their teachers, coaches, bus drivers and others at school throughout their week? What would happen if your first response was thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a faith builder

It gives us faith to pray more. I love teaching the Moms in Prayer format to women who are new to our group. Each step holds such power. After praising God for who He is and then cleansing our hearts with confession, thanksgiving builds our faith. When we recall how God has answered prayer, we can trust Him to take care of the things we’ll be asking Him during intercession. The simple act of thanksgiving emboldens our prayers. Can you imagine what that can do for the prayers of our children who already have childlike faith?

Thanksgiving is God’s will

It is God’s will for you. It is God’s will for your children. Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 above. I had glossed over that simple fact in the many years I spent begging God to show me His will for my life. Maybe because I thought it was too simple. Maybe because it just seemed like a rote thing for a Christian to do, much like the family prayer at the dinner table. Somehow “giving thanks” had become white noise on the pages of Scripture…until the advice of a godly mentor opened my eyes to the many, many, many times God instructs His people to do so. Clearly, it must be important.

How can we raise our children to be thankful? Here are a few ideas:

1. SHOW IT. Every mom has seen the power of behavior modeling—sometimes to our embarrassment. Little eyes are always paying attention. When they hear or see us give thanks to God regularly—not just at the dinner table—they’ll learn to do the same. For older children especially, who may be bombarded with negativity during their day, giving thanks for them and to them can encourage a positive outlook. Teenagers are still watching you. Sometimes it just takes longer for their behavior to kick in. Modeling thanksgiving consistently in everyday ways, focusing on the good not the bad, will change the atmosphere in your home.

Modeling thanksgiving consistently in everyday ways, focusing on the good not the bad, will change the atmosphere in your home.

2. SHARE IT. Don’t just tell your children to give thanks. Involve them in the practice regularly. Spend time together at the end of each day talking about what you’re each thankful for. Add it to the daily dinner table conversation by making it a tradition to give thanks for something that happened that day. Invite God into the conversation through prayer. In fact, teach your children the Four Steps of Prayer and take time to pray with them for their teachers, friends, and neighbors.

Teach Your Children the Four Steps of Prayer

Ask your child these questions for each step:

Praise – What do you love about God?

Confession – What is something you did today that you wish you hadn’t?

Thanksgiving – What are you thankful for today?

Intercession – Who do you want to pray for today?

You can also work with your children to create a small thanksgiving basket for their teacher or a neighbor. Help them put their thoughts into a note of thanksgiving to add to it. Thankful words from the heart are treasured, and shared acts turn thanksgiving into an experience your children will remember. My own children eventually adopted the practice and, as adults, have blessed me with a treasure trove of heartfelt thanksgiving notes. Don’t grow weary in teaching this important trait; in due time, you too will reap a harvest.

3. CELEBRATE IT. Start a memorable family tradition this Thanksgiving holiday. Leading up to the day, take time to explain why giving thanks is so important. Then, encourage your children to think of ways to make it meaningful. Let them choose scriptures and write them on place cards for the table. (See Attributes of God.) Or, work together to think of lonely friends who won’t have family near to celebrate with. You could also invite a family that’s new to the American Thanksgiving tradition and let your children help plan the menu. When thanksgiving is celebrated through fun and meaningful activities, it sticks in your children’s hearts.

When thanksgiving is celebrated through fun and meaningful activities, it sticks in your children’s hearts.

With simple steps like the ones above, thanksgiving can be much more than a holiday that comes and goes once a year. It will become a perspective shift that transforms the world around us. By giving thanks, we and our children will fulfill God’s will.

Prayer

Father, You give us so much to be thankful for! Even the instructions in Your Word contain good gifts for us. Help us cultivate hearts of thanksgiving in ourselves and in our children so that we can fulfill Your will. I pray for my sister reading this right now. Please fill her up to overflowing with more of You so that Your glory splashes out onto everyone around her, especially her children. Thank You for loving them and caring for them. Thank You for all things—most of all, the gift of Your Son, Jesus. May Your will of giving thanks be done in our lives as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

* 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV, emphasis added

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Terry Harris has been a Moms in Prayer mom for over 24 years, having served as group leader, area coordinator, and on the North Texas state team. Today, she leads a Moms in Prayer group that prays for their adult children. As an author and publisher for Harris House Publishing and Torch Runner Books, Terry authored a novel featuring Moms in Prayer to show the transformational difference this ministry can make! You can connect with Terry at terrytamashiroharris.com or subscribe to her newsletter.