Day 36 of Lent 2020

As a teacher I have seen this many times in my profession. Teaching middle school students how to be empathetic and grateful is very difficult. Yes, there are students who have grasped the concept at a very young age. The reason for that…they were taught that at home.

Teachers pour their hearts and souls into their students. Many, many times I would use my own money to provide for my students and to give them a little sunshine and love into their day.

And yet, I get that child or two (sometimes more) who comes to me when they know what my rules are and ask for more than one piece of candy from my candy jar. Some have even taken more than one and I have had to put it away for awhile.

During this quarantine has been actually a blessing for us. We were having problems trying to teach our youngest how to be grateful for what he has. It seems as if whatever he received or bought for himself was never enough. Name brands were his motivation (and sometimes still is) and he often thought nothing was good enough. If he had the Apple Air Pods, the latest version would be better even though the ones he had were working fine.

Our lives have come to a screeching halt! The only spending being done in our house right now are for groceries and things we NEED not what we WANT. Thankfully, all of our boys are understanding that right now. They realize that the things they want can wait. And the wait will be so much more sweeter and they will appreciate it more when they wait and are grateful for what they have now.

A grateful heart is a happy heart. Life is just better when we appreciate all that we have. When you feel a bit down and maybe some ungrateful thoughts are seeping in, make a list of the things you are grateful for. Put it on your bathroom mirror, on the fridge, anywhere you will see it daily to convert your heart to gratefulness. Your world will be brighter and your load will be lighter if we praise God for all that we have.