Day 6 – Embracing Gratitude

As I was reflecting on gratitude this morning, I was reminded of something I say to my children often. “When you know better, you do better.”

This is something I usually say after I’ve had to correct a behavior that doesn’t quite line up with how my husband and I are raising them.

That phrase comes after something like a behavior are an action they do that we have already taught them about. So, when they hear this from us, that means that they chose not to do better. Instead, they chose to do what was easier rather than what was right.

As a parent, seeing them choose anything other than what I have taught them disappoints me. Because I know that what I’m teaching them is truth, but at the end of the day, they still choose which way they will go.

So, how does this tie into gratitude?

Well, there was a time when I did not know the way to go. My children were at the mercy of whatever I chose to do. Follow the narrow path or continue down the easier one. I was reminded of a time when I didn’t do better even when I knew better. A time when God was just an option.

Gratitude is teaching my kids the way to go. Gratitude is living out the example my kids can follow. Gratitude is praying for the lost and interceding for my loved ones. Gratitude is being plugged into the body of Christ. Serving His people. Gratitude is paying my tithe & not withholding from God. It’s striving for righteousness and holiness, but for no other motive than thankfulness.

That’s because when you are truly thankful for what God has done for you or in you, gratitude is the action that follows.

The Bible says in Psalms 9:1, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

So, my prayer today is that we live a life that reflects how thankful we are for all He has done. That we can examine our hearts and our actions and be real with ourselves. Are we living a life that is thankful for what He’s doing? If it’s no, repent, & pray for God to recount all the wonderful things He has done for you. And then ask for Him to increase the thankfulness in your heart. Ask Him to bring understanding that gratitude is not based off your current circumstances but a response to what He’s already done. That’s important. Why? Because it’s when you know better, you do better.