I’ve Found Something I Can’t Live Without

rgk logo

My father-in-law has a saying as he leaves a store: We found something we just couldn’t live without.  It is a joke. He knows that. Most of the time we are buying things we don’t really need.

The grocery store, browsing the aisles of Target, and window shopping at the mall allow me to face the reality of being grateful.  Am I a grateful for the things in my life? Am I thankful for all that God has provided? I would like to say that I am. I would like to say I don’t need anything else in my life.

But my wallet. My bank account. The clutter in my house speak something different. All of this stuff speaks to my children as well. I can see it in the tantrums, tears, and tempers when they don’t get something they want while we are at the store.  I’ve been floored by their rude comments on birthdays and Christmas’ when a gift doesn’t live up to expectations. I try to cover their words with my embarrassed apologies.

Instead, I’ve learned their ungratefulness is a reflection of my own ungratefulness. Kristen’s book, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, did not give a me a quick formula for making my kids more thankful. It wasn’t a parenting book of how-to‘s and do-this. It was book that spoke to my own sinful heart. It revealed my own ungratefulness.

rgk image1

We are making some changes in our family because of this book. For me, it isn’t about the purchases. It isn’t about buying less. It is about my heart. And my treasure. And my goals for my own life. I say with my mouth, “These things (houses, cars, things, etc) are not important to me. But with my actions, I reveal a deeper heart issue. I had a heart that was content with a life God had given, but not with the God who had given me this life.

  1. We are making it less about getting, and more about giving. I love to give, most of the time. I can write a quick check and feel good about myself. But ask me to give my time, talents, or things and that’s another matter altogether. I have been challenged by Kristen to make it more about giving to others, and not just our money. It means write that note. It means go visit that person. It means make a meal.  Not when it is asked. Not when it is expected. Not when tragedy strikes. Anytime is the right time to give. We are striving to give more of our time in our family. Although our children cannot do a lot of serving in our community, we can serve in our home. A servant’s heart is about serving those around us. And the people around us right now are our family. My children will learn to serve as they serve each other. 
  2. We are embracing the mess of our lives and extending mercy. I cannot keep my children from disobedience. But I can be more consistent. I can also extend more mercy. Parenting is not easy. Parenting takes intentional steps toward Christ-likeness. I am only beginning to read a little about Grace-based parenting, but the concepts are growing in my heart. Although I will strive to instill obedience and respect for authority in our children, grace can always be found. Grace is available to us through our Father, it should be for our children as well.
  3. My husband and I realize it starts with us. Our own hearts are the issue, not our children’s. Is Jesus the priory in our own lives? My children will see the most important thing in this world is Jesus by the way I live, right now. Do I read the Bible before starting my day? Do we take time away from our favorite shows to talk about Jesus? Our family needs to do better. Our family is growing and it is time we show them Jesus. First by being an example, but also by teaching them tools and encouraging them to develop their own relationship with God.

rgk image2

I want to tell my children: “I’ve Found Something I Can’t Live Without.” And the way I tell them that is to live it. To demonstrate kindness. Grace. Consistency. Teach them to respect authority. Set boundaries. Loving them fearlessly through the hard work that is parenting. It is easy to get into a groove, but Kristen’s book has challenged me to stop. Take a step back. Reevaluate and move forward.

rgk book cover

I’ve been challenged. Encouraged. Inspried. And completely convicted while I read this book. I know you will as well. Today I’m joining an amazing group of bloggers as we hop around the blogging world – discussing Kristen’s book. If you are still hesitant about pre-ordering “Raising Grateful Kids” – check out these amazing other sites today!

RGK blog hop

Inspiring an Attitude of Gratitude – by Alison
Rasisng Grateful Kids – by amanda
Why You Can’t Buy Gratitude At The Dollar Store – by Andrea
Missing – Gratefulness in our home – by Ange
Choosing Gratitude – by Angela
Gratefullness – by chaley
5 Steps to Gratitude-Fille Family – by Christa
Practicing Grateful Parenting – by Dana
Sing a Song – by Hannah
Cultivating gratitude in our family – by Jamie
Gratefulness In Our Home – by Jana
Gratefulness In Our Home – by Jana
Let It Begin With Me – by Jen
Choosing Gratefulness – by Jennifer
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World – The Book – by jeri
Eradicating Entitlement – What are you rooted in? – by Jessica
Gratefulness in our home – by Kate
The Problem With Entitlement is that it begins with us – by Katelyn
7 Unusual Ways I Know How to Be Grateful – by Kathryn
Raising Grateful Kids – by Keri
How My Children Remind Me to Pray with Gratitude – by Kishona
Grateful – by Kristy
Entitlement: The Ugly Truth of a Beautiful Lie – by Leigha
The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Raise Grateful Kids – by Lindsey
Dear Son: How Do I Teach You To Be Grateful Without Guilt? – by Marie Osborne
Gratitude, A Practical Definition – by Mia
Cultivating Gratitude in Our Home – by Nancy
Learning Gratitude through Chronic Illness – by Rachel
Being Grateful – by Rebecca
I’ve Found Something I Can’t Live Without – by Sarah
The Power of Naming our Gifts – by Sarah
Outfitted – by Sarah Jo
Growing Gratitude in our Family – by Sondra
Teaching Gratefulness – by Stephanie
How Grateful Looks From Here – by Alison
Fighting Entitlement in Children and All of us – by Leah
Entitlement Problem – by Karrie
Grateful Today – by Krystal

Read more about Kristen Welch here.

kristen welch

SarahFSignature

 

 

 

Read about our journey of adoption here…..

Our adoption story image

I’m linking up here.

Letters of Grace

As a “Thank You” for signing up for my newsletter, I’ll be sending you some freebies EVERY MONTH!

For the month of January, I’ll be featuring brand new design by ME! I have created a special one-of-a-kind printable just for my readers! This special print will be available only for subscribers to my newsletter. If you are already a subscriber, your print will be in your inbox soon. If not, sign up by entering your email below.


Follow me on Social Media! I would love to connect with you!

 Facebook / / Twitter / / Instagram / / Pinterest

Don’t forget to come back on Tuesday for our link-up!

Tuesday Talk New Full Button

Share this:

16 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing! And the first one really resonated with me. It’s easy to write a check but giving up precious time to serve others needs to be on my to do list this year. This book has convicted me in so many ways, but inspired me as well. I can’t wait to put it into practice as my little one gets older.

  2. Really enjoyed your post! And the canva image you used is one I created! That comment in the book is still ringing in my head! I sure hope I’m ready to swim upstream!

  3. I love this analysis of not only the book but your life as well. One thing you mentioned briefly but I just love is taking the time to talk about Jesus. That is something that I need to do a better job of incorporating into my day. I’m joining you in the blog hop! Good luck in the journey.

  4. I have been working on being intentional about giving and serving this year – not waiting until there is a need or tragedy, as you say, but finding a small need and filling it, anonymously whenever possible. Love this post, thank you for sharing! #RGK

  5. Wow. I was so convicted just by reading your thoughts on this book. We desperately need this in our home. More about Jesus and serving and less about us and things. I have moved this book to the top of my wish-list and will be reading it soon. Thank you so much for sharing.

    1. Oh my Miranda – you must get Kristin’s book! God is shaping my hear to follow Him in this with our family as well! Thanks for reading.

  6. Love this! We work hard on this at our house – being grateful, not being greedy… it does start with me.

    Thank you for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot

    I’m going to put this up as my favorite of the week 😉

    1. Thank you so much Marissa! You will not be disappointed if you get this book! It has rocked my world.

Comments are closed.