Maintaing a Heart of Gratitude!

As some of you may know, Jordan is quite the little princess. If she could wear a dress every day, ALL day, she would. She loves how the dress flares when she twirls in circles and then she practices her little Ballerina moves. Yes she is my Twirling Ballerina Princess!

The girls at church! Jordan dances all around the church in her gorgeous dress!

Well this morning, unfortunately she was not able to put on yet another dress, so Jeans it was. And lets just say, it did NOT go over well with my two year old. 

She began to have her moment, all I could think of is how grateful she should be, because many children do not have the ability to "choose" from different outfits to wear.  Of course I didn't dare say this to her.  A recent Focus on the Family  radio show (I strongly urge you to listen too) taught me that to teach a little one true gratefulness is to NOT make them feel guilty for the blessings they do have, but to teach them to Thank Jesus for all that He has given them. Another point Susie Larson (guest author of Growing Grateful Kids, on the radio show) made was that TRUE gratefulness is taught through example.  The best way for us to teach our little ones to be grateful for all Jesus has given us is to exemplify it our selves.  

So Lord help me to NOT see the lack, but to see the Blessing! Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our Life!!!

So as this radio segment raced through my mind in about 5 seconds, I quickly looked at Jordan and said, "Jordan, look at these beautiful Jeans Jesus has given you. Can we thank Him for them?" 

So I said in front of her, "Thank You Jesus." She quickly responded, "THANK YOU JESUS!" Tears and all! LOL... She repeated this several times, and it appeared to help her little soul, because she calmed right down. In that moment, as I grew in my heart and learned a valuable lesson with my two year old, I began to thank Jesus for all He had given me too! This song below quickly approached my mind, and it couldn't seem to leave! 

"Thank You Jesus! Lord you WORTHY, of all the GLORY, and all the PRAISE!!! It makes me wanna SHOUT, HALLELUJAH!, THANK YOU JESUS!" 

Enjoy the Song!

Susie Larson also mentioned that in a time when she had nothing, she made a list of ALL she was grateful for, and she realized, how much she was Blessed!  

Lets not wait until we are desperate and in lack, but lets always have a heart of Gratitude!

My List of Thankfulness:

1. My beautiful HEALTHY family! 

2. A loving husband, who loves unconditonally, and is always there open and ready to give forgiveness!

3.  The ability to stay home and be a mommy, without the constraints of financial obligations. 

4. That I have TWO little girls! Girls are SO much fun!!! 

5. The food in fridge! Which most of we didn't even purchase, but it's been given to us! He is GOOD!

6. The fact that I can look in my fridge and have the ability to CHOOSE what I would like to make for dinner. Thank you Jesus for Choices!!

7. The closet FULL of clothes, all four of us! We are literally bursting at the seams with clothes! Majority of which, we haven't bought, but others have graciously given us! 

8. The fact that my daughter has THREE winter coats, and I NEVER had to worry about getting her one!

9. That my daughter DOES have many dresses she can twirl in, because my girl does love to twirl!

10. Our Christmas tree... Thanks to PaPa! He bought us a tree this year! I love you Dad! Thanks for being a lifeline!

11. My momma.... She is always there to hear me out, without EVER judging, but just listening... and then inserts her wisdom with humility when need be... Thank you Momma for always being there for me, and being a WONDERFUL Grandma to my little girls... I love you!!! 

12. My Husband's Parents and Family! They have always accepted me with Loving Arms, and whenever we need them, they quickly drop everything and come running! I love you!! 

13. Our BEAUTIFUL home! I seriously LOVE IT!! God knew EXACTLY what we needed for our growing family! It is surely a testament of HIS providence! Thank you Jesus!!!

14. Beautiful Mommy Friends like Karen Miller, Courtney Gerdes, Jaime Thompson, and Janine Weaver! They are NEVER judgmental, but always encouraging and uplifting when I need them most! I love you ladies!! God has surely placed you in my life for such a time as this! I think God that I am able to share life with you all, as we share the BEST YEARS of our lives together! 

15. Most importantly, definitely not least, My LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! I surely would not have any of this if it wasn't for His SAVING GRACE! Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me! I am eternally grateful and indebted to you! May I maintain a heart of gratitude always towards you, and continually serve you all the days of my life!!

So What are You Thankful For?!