Be Thankful!

Thanksgiving is just a week from tomorrow, so as we turn our focus to being thankful, I want to take a moment to encourage us all to be intentional about being thankful all year . . . not just in November. I've been talking with my four-year old grandson about being thankful people. I tell him we love to be people who are thankful and encourage him to look for reasons to be thankful to others and to God. If the habit - or "mind-set" of being thankful is one which is encouraged and celebrated from the youngest ages, I believe it is one which will become a part of who we are!

While being thankful is part of having good manners, I think it is more than a manners "issue". Being thankful goes to the heart of who we are. It can be far too easy to be a person who just takes advantage of the kindness of others and this is something people who serve in churches need to be on guard for. We have people who volunteer their time, abilities and gifts to serve in our children's ministries. These people give and give and give - and we happily take what they give. Do we truly stop to let them know how very much we appreciate them and what they do? Or, do we take them for granted?

Our children's ministries could not be effective without those who so generously give of themselves, their time and their abilities to serve as volunteers. Make a point, at least every month, to be sure your volunteers know they are appreciated. Make a point to thank God, too, for sending the volunteers you have.

In children's ministry you have much to be thankful for - even if you need more volunteers! Be intentional about being thankful . . . to your volunteers and to God!