Thankful or Wantful?

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and today people are rushing to the stores for the "Black Friday Deals". People have turned their focus to the things they "want" . . . and this includes the children in our ministries as they think about the things they want to receive for Christmas. 

It seems like there is so little focus given to being thankful and while we might be quick to encourage children and families to take time to be truly thankful rather than focus on the things they want, how often do we actually do this ourselves? Consider the following . . . 

• How often do we stop and express genuine thanks to God - and our volunteers - for the volunteers He has given us? Do we instead complain about how we need more volunteers?
• How often do we stop and express genuine thanks to God - and our church - for the resources we have to do ministry to children? Do we instead complain about how we need more money for additional resources? 
• How often do we stop and express genuine thanks to God for hearing and answering our prayers - and to our prayer warriors for their faithful prayers? Do we instead continue to ask for prayer - not that we shouldn't do this, but do we stop to be thankful for answered prayer?

These are just a few things to consider about being truly thankful rather than thinking and focusing on the the things we "want"!