Children with Thankful Hearts
When children learn to talk, one of the first sentences the thoughtful parent teaches them to say is “Thank you,” as in “Tell Mema and Poppy ‘Thank you’ for your present, Elijah” . . .
Boy in a Toy Car, 1959
Photo by Angelo Rizzuto
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
. . . and “Thank Miss Ella for the ice cream, Charlotte.”
The Ice Cream Girl, c. 1913,
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
As important as it is for children to say those words, the more important lesson is to train them to be thankful so that the words are an overflow of their hearts. As Paul told the church at Colossae:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
When Solomon taught his son in the book of Proverbs, he gave him instruction in how to speak, in what to do, and in what not do. He also gave him instruction for his heart. Since Solomon mentions the word heart 69 times in his lessons to his son in Proverbs, heart lessons are essential in our homeschools, too.
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:1
I saw a sign beside an elevator yesterday. It asked: “Have you said thank you to God today?” When our hearts are thankful it isn’t hard to think of many things, “since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25b).
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
Psalm 9:1