Principal's Ponderings

Fostering a Heart of Thankfulness

Gratitude is a choice, a perspective and a practice that transforms how we see the world. In a culture that constantly whispers (or often shouts), that we deserve more, better and now, it is easy for both children and adults to drift toward entitlement. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently. At Devonport Christian School, we are passionate about shaping not just minds but hearts; hearts that are thankful, humble and deeply aware of God’s blessings in everyday moments.

It is no accident that Scripture repeatedly calls us to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” A grateful heart is not dependent on circumstances; it is a reflection of trust in the goodness of God.

How do we teach this in a world that tells us happiness comes from more? How do we cultivate gratitude when our children are bombarded with messages that they should always want the next best thing? The answer is simple, yet profound: it begins with us.

Children watch us more than they listen to us. When we grumble about our daily inconveniences, they learn to do the same; but when we choose gratitude, even in difficulty, they learn that thankfulness is not just about saying “thank you” but about seeing life through the lens of God’s blessings. G.K. Chesterton once said, “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” He is also quoted as saying, "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”  What are our children hearing in our homes, complaints or thankfulness?

Recently, I have been thinking of how to practically place thoughts in this newsletter for us to apply in our homes. Last week it was modelling Christ's love in our homes, this week it is practices of gratitude. Language shapes attitude. What if we reframed our daily routines? Instead of saying, “I have to go to work,” we say, “I get to provide for my family.” Instead of, “We have to go to school,” we say, “We get to learn in a school that nurtures our faith.” Changing "have to" into "get to" transforms obligation into opportunity. And when children see this shift in us, they begin to adopt it too. Here are some practical suggestions:

• Thankful Conversations: Each evening, ask, “What are three things you are thankful for today?” Gratitude grows when it is spoken.

• Serving Others Together: Gratitude flourishes when we look beyond ourselves. Find ways to serve as a family, whether writing thank-you notes, making a meal for someone, or supporting a local mission.

• Prayer of Thanksgiving: Before meals, bedtime or even in the car, take a moment to thank God. Billy Graham said, “A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord.”

The world tells us that success is measured by possessions, achievements and status, but Jesus reminds us that true richness comes from a grateful heart. In Luke 17, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. Jesus asks, “Where are the other nine?” Gratitude is not just about receiving, it is about acknowledging the Giver. Are we teaching our children to be among the one, not the nine?

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” Gratitude does not depend on abundance, it multiplies joy within whatever we have.

At DCS, we are committed to fostering gratitude in the lives of our students, shaping them to be people who see God’s goodness in every moment, but this cannot happen in isolation. Parents, you are the greatest teachers of gratitude!

Imagine the impact on our children if they grow up knowing that every good gift, big or small, is from God. Imagine homes filled with gratitude rather than entitlement, where joy overflows not because of what we have, but because of who we belong to.

May we walk this journey together, raising a generation that sees the blessings, not just the burdens. Let us lead the way, showing our children that a heart of gratitude leads to a life of abundance in Christ.

Shalom,

Chad Smit