Gratefulness

One of the challenges of parenthood in middle to upper class American is not raising spoiled kids.  We have all of our basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter met.  Most of us have our wants met as well.  Daniel and I really struggle with this.  Sure, we take away a phone here and there, but what really is the impact of that?

We take our kids downtown to help the homeless.  It makes a huge impact on me because I know I am not invincible.  A few wrong choices or a few unlucky breaks and that could easily be us.  Kids, however, I believe they don't get it.  They are so far removed from that world.  I believe my kids feel sympathy for the homeless and needy, but I don't believe they truly get it.  That's somebody else's reality, not theirs.

This weekend we volunteered with our church at a fantastic event called tCToys.  We helped low income families shop for their kids for Christmas.  They were allowed to pick one present per child.  I tried to talk about this afterwards with the kids, but still feel unsure if it really sunk in.  One soccer ball.  Can my kids really imagine one soccer ball being their entire Christmas?

Today an attitude of complaining reared its ugly head with one of my children.  Her consequence?  Making a list of 100 things she is thankful for.  Her list is amazing and surprisingly didn't take her as long as she thought it would.

My prayer for my children is 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.