Mommyhood - Thankfulness

God brought it to my attention how often as a parent I tell my kids that they need to be happy with what I give them for…fill in the blank... and that they are not to complain about it. However, I do not put that into practice as often as I ought. I am in a sense becoming (for all you Veggie Tale fans) Madame Blueberry in some respects. I have decided my dishes need to be replaced (one is seriously warped but still they do function and I do have enough) but while the kids were watching this video, I was doing the dishes and heard the song (AGAIN God speaks through Veggies Tales). I started laughing because I could identify with her. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize how often I am not content or thankful for what God has given me. I really need to have the thankful heart in everything no matter how much I really want something better.

Our current home does not have a dinning area at all. Seriously, we have a counter/bar area that we put stools around for the kids, on the kitchen side in front of all the cupboards and drawers. We have had to move the stools out of the way to get anything we need for 5 years now. And frankly, about 4 months ago, I decided I was done being content that we had a kitchen and even if it was not a table, a place to eat. I was no longer thankful. I started wanting the next best model of whatever was beginning to annoy me even though I know I really do not need it.

God is faithful to always meet our needs. A home (of some sort), clothing (even if it is as old as your marriage-not kidding here. I wear clothing from the early ‘90s all the time.), and food. Wow, I am fed, clothed, and housed. So why am I not content? I need to be thankful for what he has already given me and thankful for what he will give me in the future. On days when I am just generally not in a good mood, I am sure I am not thankful for what I have. “A thankful heart is a happy heart.” This statement has so much truth and yet on days when I am not happy I look for what I want so that I can be happy instead of looking at what I do have and thanking God for it. Being happy with what I have. Like when I give the kids cereal in the morning for breakfast and they are sick of cereal and my words are, “This is breakfast, and you need to be happy that you are eating anything.” Now, this is usually said on mornings after the baby has not slept and I am beyond exhausted and there is no hope for a shower because low and behold the baby is still fussing. Nevertheless, the same applies to me. I need to live what I teach the kids and if I fail to do that then I am not actually teaching my kids how to live.

So today, I am saying that I am thankful for my warped plate, I am thankful for my kitchen and I am thankful that I have a place to feed my little ones. I am thankful for my home, and my family. I am thankful that God promises in His word to supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory. I am thankful that Jesus took my sin and my unthankfulness to the cross to that I may be thankful today.

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

Philippians 4:11 & 12 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know that it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”