I don’t know about you, but I find it too easy to simply take things for granted.

I know, we live in an incredibly blessed society and at an incredible time. But so much of what we have we don’t appreciate because we take it for granted.

Let me give you some examples:
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• The food on the table
• The fact that my kids have lots of clothes
• All of our toys and gadgets
• The education my kids are receiving
• Our vehicles
• A nice home
• All of the “extra” stuff we do, like movies, mini golf, eating out
• And tons more!

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First of all, dads, we need to see value in everything we have. And then we need to teach our kids to do the same.

Put simply, we need to set aside our feelings of entitlement and develop an attitude of gratitude.

When we learn to appreciate what we have, we find it easier to be thankful instead of envious or bitter of what we don’t have.

So how do we do this? By helping our kids understand the value of things. My daughter is quickly approaching driving age. She’s been saving for quite a while for her first car, and will save even more when she gets her first job.

My son wanted to use a hammer and a few other tools not too long ago. When I found them still in the yard a few hours later, we had a good conversation about taking care of what we have.

I could list dozens of examples, but I think you get the point. Teaching our kids to appreciate what we have will go a long way to enabling them to be thankful and wise stewards of what God pours into their lives.

Allowing our kids to miss these lessons only serves to develop their sense of entitlement. And it quickly becomes all about him.

Teach your kids to be thankful and appreciate what they have.

Be deliberate, Dad!

How have you taught this principle to your kids? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.