Gratefulness

Today, I did the unthinkable as a mom. I packed up all of our kids’ toys into tubs, carted them out to our garage, and told the kids to say goodbye. I let them keep a few—Jeremiah and May each got a plastic tub to fill with ten toys of their choice, and the rest are in our garage until…well, I don’t know.

I was prompted to this crazy action because of the apparent ungratefulness that I have been seeing in our house lately. What pushed me over the edge today was a literal tantrum over boredom with what we have. I wouldn’t allow our kids to watch a movie, play a computer game, or a game on my phone. I insisted that they play with their TOYS! (mean, right??) Well, when I saw one of them throw a complete fit about it, I offered to give their toys away to somebody else! This wasn’t a popular suggestion at all! :) So, as a compromise, we packed up the toys and put them in the garage where they will be earned back over time.

I just want our kids to learn to appreciate the things that they have and be thankful! Why this is so difficult to teach, I don’t know. But we are trying!

I am continually praying that the Lord would make me a more thankful person—thankful for my role as Mama to these kids that I love, thankful to be married to my high school sweetheart, thankful for this adventure He has called us on here in Delray…there are times I am discontent, too, and I so don’t want to be that child screaming for something else to do when I have all these gifts right in front of me…

When you pray for us, please pray that God will continue to help us be thankful right where we are.

-Laura