Thankful? Really? Continued......#2

Remember as a child growing up saying your prayers? If you were like me, and even my kids now, it might sound something like this:
Thank you God for Mommy. Thank you God for Daddy. Thank you for my sister and my brother. Thank you for Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you for my whole family!
(As I got older, this was added)
Thank you for my children. Keep them safe. Help them grow up and and be good.

The words are so easy to say. Sometimes I forget that just SAYING I am thankful for something, doesn't necessarily make me a thankful person. So how do we get beyond the words?

I am so thankful for my family. What does that really look like? Being thankful is ... well...
a verb with an attitude! A great attitude! And lots of action.

It means respecting my husband. As a thankful wife I will meet his number one need for respect. If no actions go with the words, it really mean noting to say, "I am thankful for my husband".

Being thankful for my children. Hmm, how does that look?
It means I provide a happy, healthy place to grow up. I will prepare them to grow up and ..yes.. leave.

My job is not to keep them HERE, but prepare them for THERE! I am thankful to GOD for letting me have my children for the time that I am supposed to have them.

But, being thankful for adult children is a little different. It looks a lot like:

Being there when needed, but staying out of the way. Allowing them to develop a new family unit. Being available. Love and support without having to CONTROL the decisions!

I can tell God that I am thankful for the people He put in my family. He however, expects some action with appropriate attitude.

So, here's to respect. Training. Letting go. and being available.
All true forms of thankfulness!

Chasing Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson
womanaftergod@gmail.com
GlendaJohnson63@Twitter.com