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Maximizing Motherhood
Thankfulness in Disguise Isn't Thankfulness
by Maureen Pearson (Maureen's bio)
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“What?!”
I heard the disgusted remark coming from the kitchen as my daughter rounded the doorway. This morning I had not placed her breakfast on her placemat like I do so many other mornings. From the groan she had made, one would have thought I was asking her to go out to gather eggs from the hens or milk a cow.
Is this really my child acting this way or did someone else crawl out of her bed? I do my best to have breakfast made before my kids rise – it saves me time. Never did I expect that my organization and preparation was breeding an attitude of expectation and ungratefulness in my daughter. I thought she appreciated having a good breakfast when she awoke and I was proud of myself for getting up early to provide that for her. This morning I was witnessing a lesson in my parenting unfold.
After I pointed out to my daughter that her plate of scrambled eggs was cooling by the stove, I served it to her at the table.
That evening I shared the incident with my husband. We asked ourselves, “How can we teach our kids to be thankful?”
A few days later I came across an article about modeling certain character qualities to ones children. Hmm. Could the lack of thankfulness in my daughter's life be reflective of a lack of it in my own? What does she see in me? Do I have an attitude of gratitude?
I asked myself those questions but found no real answers. So, I turned to the place I go when I have no answers – the Lord.
I had to do some searching and praying about the attitudes I was demonstrating to my children.
Lately my prayers have included asking God to show me areas of need in my children's lives. I also pray that I would demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit so that they would see me modeling godly behavior.
I guess I'm missing thankfulness somewhere in it all. If it's hidden, it's not there.
Copyright 2002, Maureen Pearson. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Maureen Pearson: I am an at-home mother of two children and freelancer for The Tampa Tribune (daily newspaper). Prior to motherhood, I worked in "corporate America" as a mid-level manager for an international research and development organization. My communications background includes media relations, various business publications and broadcast news. While in my 20s, I made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. My heart's desire is to show others the love of God available to us through His Son. My family and I are active members of Presbyterian Church in the Highlands, Lakeland, Florida. I've facilitated a number of small group studies for women focused on Bible study, prayer and learning God's will. E-mail Maureen |
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