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Subject: Can Thankfulness Be Taught?
Date: October 3, 2001
- A parent cannot help but beam with pride as their young two year old appropriately says "thank you". It hits you with shock one day when this very child becomes ungrateful and demanding. You wonder what went wrong and how you can once again teach your child to be thankful - or is this something you can teach? Please join us as we discuss a heart of thanksgiving.
Why are we attracted to people who have grateful spirits?
What hinders the developement of a thankful heart?
Does circumstances and experience affect a grateful heart?
How can we best teach our children to be thankful?
What are some ways can we celebrate thankfulness all year round?
Participants: cwt, Sheryl, terry, LRD
cwt- Our topic for today is "Can thankfulness be taught." Let's open in a word of prayer...
cwt- Dear Lord, thankyou for today. Thank you that you are with us in all our situations and youc are for us. Please guide our conversation and help us as we chat together. Amen
sheryl- Amen
cwt- Why are we attracted to people who have grateful spirits?
sheryl- because we want to be like them?
cwt- that is possible.
cwt- I think it always lifts our own spirits when someone is grateful
cwt- Terry, is this your first time here?
terry- yes it is, i'm kind of new to the chat scene!
cwt- oh that is great. Would you like a little explaining of what we do?
terry- yes, okay
cwt- Basically, we have a scheduled chat at certain times during the week
cwt- during that 1 hour, we chat about the topic at hand. Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts, as well as share their needs
cwt- so just jump in where-ever....
cwt- does that make sense?
terry- yes and okay
cwt- good. So we were just asking why we are attracted to people that have grateful spirits....
cwt- sometimes a grateful attitude appears on the character of a face, drawing us to a person
cwt- Are there things that hinder the development of a thankful heart?
sheryl- Yes lack of faith
terry- very definitely - one would be unresolved hurt
cwt- bitterness...
LRD- I think or unforgivness
terry- yes
cwt- or even unawareness
LRD- We must deal with the inside issues and then the heart follows
sheryl- when things are going rough it hard to be thankful
cwt- how do you think these hinder the development of thankfulness?
terry- they taint the whole outlook
sheryl- yes
cwt- bitterness would cause you to see only the "bad" and never the good
terry- absolutely
cwt -everything becomes "black" or dark
cwt- What about lack of faith?
LRD- I think that when we let bitterness or unforgiveness fester, it does not allow our hearts to be thnakful
sheryl- your not able to look at what you do have
cwt- It is hard to see God as in control sometimes--when our world is turned upside down
cwt -that is a good point sheryl.
sheryl- you feel abandoned
cwt- you feel abandoned when there is no thankfulness?
sheryl- It like that poem foot prints
terry- doubt will prevent us from believing in good - keep us downcast - focused on negatives
LRD- Becoming thankful when we are so hurt, many times takes a concious effort to change
cwt- yes. That is a great poem
cwt- How much is thankfulness a feeling verses an attitude? Is it a "wishywashy" thing?
LRD- a bitter heart shows on our faces
terry- it's a choice
LRD- I think that it is an attitude
shery-l I belive it an attitude
terry- we can choose to be thankful
cwt -Yes. I think so. But sometimes a difficult choice
sheryl- true
terry- oh yeah
cwt- What kind of perspectives do we have to have to develop thankfulness?
LRD- i think that we have to make a decision to look for things that are good. The bible states that those are the things that we are supposed to focus on
cwt -Sometimes it involves asking God to show us little things to be thankful for
terry- all good things work together
LRD- things that are good things that are noble things that are just
cwt -Yes, Lrd that is true. "Giving thanks in all things"
cwt- Do you see worry having a place in hindering thankfulness?
LRD -yes terry i agree, and sometimes that is easy to forget
terry- yes, it will stifle thankfulness
sheryl- yes yes
cwt- It seems that when we are not thankful, we are worrying about something---and not yeilding, or trusting in God to work through the situations
terry- yes
LRD- definently
sheryl- I worry alot about money even though I know I should Have faith In God to take care of it but thats really hard for me
cwt- circumstances and experience do affect us...so how do we work around those things that discourage us?
cwt -yes. finances are a huge area for many of us
LRD -I think spending time daily with God helps to keep our focus brighter
cwt -are you experiencing that right now because of your move Sheryl?
sheryl -Sorry i don't see how I've got a plank in my eye
sheryl- yes
cwt- what do you mean "plank in your eye"?
sheryl- I'm unable to see any good because I too busy worrying about how to get through today instead of giving it to GOd
terry- i have got to run to work , but i will join you again - it's been great. thanks.
cwt- I see.
cwt- Do join us again Terry. God bless
LRD- bye terry
sheryl- so thankfulness seems really far away right now
LRD- sometimes life can be really rough
sheryl- ya
cwt- I can understand that. With all the changes you have gone through , it is very hard to regain perspective.
LRD- i know i have been there
cwt- I had myself a good cry just last week...!
sheryl- I do that alot
cwt- I think sometimes we just have to acknowledge to God that we are hurt and even disappointed with what he has brought or allowed into our lives.
LRD- sometimes i am soo overcome with worry or fear that it almost hurts
LRD- be honest with God
sheryl -I do that
cwt- That's ok. God is big enough to handle our pain and sorrow. Sometimes there is healing in just being honest with God instead of trying to hide how we are feeling
sheryl- cant hide and i think that why sometimes its rough
shery-l because he wants us to yeild
cwt- I know for me, I was fighting what God has done (our move) -- and when I cried -- I was able to release what I've been feeling
cwt -That's right sheryl. I think yeilding to God is part of the whole battle for contentment and thankfulness
LRD- this morning I just spent time just trying to figure out where god was taking me right now, seeking direction
LRD- it is hard though we want a quick answer, and sometimes that is not how it works
sheryl- yes thats true
cwt- Yes. The answers are not always readily available or understandable
LRD- money can be such a huge thing in our lives a huge source of stress
cwt- So, how are faith and trust then tied to thankfulness?
LRD- i totally understand
cwt for sure
sheryl -you have to have one to have the other? I have to go pick up my son at kindergarten so thankyou ladies have a blessed day
cwt -I am sorry that you have to go sheryl
sheryl- thank I hope to talk to you again
cwt- Maybe you can talk to one of our mentors
sheryl- yes
LRD- It was so nice to speak with you come again
sheryl- how
cwt- Click on Email mentoring on the top. Email a message and someone will contact you
LRD- they are a great source of help
sheryl -great thankyou cwt bye lrd
cwt- do you have a second to pray
sheryl- yes
LRD- yes
cwt- Dear Lord. Help Sheryl today. Help her in all the adjustments and pain of her move. Give her peace Lord. Help her choose thankfulness. Give her friends. Let her know you are near. Amen
cwt Help her finances.
sheryl -Amen thankyou God bless
LRD- amen, sheryl come again and talk.. life can be hard
sheryl- thankyou
cwt- God bless.
LRD- yes, I think that even though we were trying to focus on thankfulness, money is a huge topic with many people
cwt- Yes, that is so true. We have done a few chats on finances.
cwt- So how can we teach our children to be thankful?
cwt- Our own example is key...as it is in so many things
LRD- I think as with anything the best way to teach our children is by example
cwt- great minds think alike! GRIN
LRD- It is hard to stay on top of it from day to day though
cwt- teaching the children to send thankyou cards is a good way too
cwt I think there is a heart attitude that has to be developed....
LRD -yes, and I inforce with mine always to verbally express it, even if I get them a glass of juice. They have to say thank you
cwt- ungratefulness is often "God you aren't taking care of me"..."or why can't I get...it isn't fair..."
LRD- It almost is a habit
LRD- Yes, I see that in a lot of people, it is hard to stop thinking that way once you start
cwt- thankfulness is to affect so many areas of our lives...from house to food, to friends to school...
LRD- It is almost related to selfishness
cwt- yes. I think that is what leads to bitterness so often... that feeling of "life isn't fair...God's not fair"
cwt- that's true too!
cwt- boy--are we not all selfish in so many ways?
LRD- Looking at only the things that are not right instead of focusing on what is good
LRD- yes
cwt- Yes. God can give us the ability to refocus. I think that is part of the work of the Holy Spirit---breathing out the worry, fear, resentment, anger -- breathing in thankfulness even if it is for a little thing, to start
LRD -Yes
cwt- Let's close in prayer
LRD- ok
cwt- Dear Lord, we do all need to make choices to be thankful---even when things are not running the way we feel they should. Help us remember that You are good no matter what. You have a plan and purpose for us. Help us seek you and walk in your ways. Amen
