Gratitude....compassion

How do you teach your children gratitude? How do you teach compassion?

Still pondering these thoughts.....

Deveraux and I were talking today after we had been to Target to fill her shoebox for Operation Christmas Child (for those children on the other side of the world in need). We had a good time and Deveraux had fun and was excited picking out treats and felt she was giving. Then when we got home and we realized we needed to return a couple of items that didn't work out, well, Deveraux no longer wanted to give. She wanted to keep those things and she realized how difficult it was that she had picked so many things she would want. Her words, "My life is ruined if I can't get what I want." I laugh as I write this but it pained me greatly to hear her say those words.

But don't we all live in that place from time to time...

We talked about how things will never satisfy, but oh how they seem like they will, time and time again. If I can just get that.....I will be good/happy/satisfied..but as we know that only lasts until the next "thing." If only this lesson could be learned young.

We decided we maybe need to take a break from Target. Deveraux expressed that it is just hard to go into a store and want so many things, I completely understand and I don't want her to feel that. I know it is okay to enjoy fun, beautiful, enjoyable things, but I also know what it feels to live in discontent and want. We need some time to maybe figure some things out and seek God.

Deveraux did say that when she was giving she knew she was giving to Jesus...she just wasn't sure what that meant, so we were able to talk about that and how giving really good stuff is better than giving what you don't care about.

Oh I had the feeling/thought of "here we go" as a parent of a growing girl I do and will receive such good opportunities to teach and share. But it also feels weighty and I have to examine and attempt to clearly communicate truth and I want that to be Godly/Biblical truth.

I really want to raise cheerful "better to give than to receive" children and a children who see others and whi have compassion.