Thankfulness Keeps Me Here

The value of being thankful can not be underestimated. Here is what I am thankful for:

Having recently travelled to Spain, I learned that several European countries don't allow homeschooling. I talked with a grandfather from Portugal who lamented the fact that his grandchildren, of which he has 15, do not believe in God much, if any. The grandfather was a member of the Gideon group, who is known for their tireless work of putting bibles in hotels, hospitals, jails, etc. He said that his grandchildren are being taught and trained by the state in what to believe and how to think.

This made me very thankful for the opportunity to homeschool. And most importantly to teach my children about Jesus. The Bible says that if we train children up in the way they should go, they will not depart. It feels like a privilege to be able to do this. I love to teach my children and others stories about the Bible.

I grew up being told Bible stories from my Dad and the characters in them were as near and dear to me as my real childhood friends because he made the stories come alive. My father's love for the bible taught me how to love the people in it and relate to their sorrows and joys. This has carried me as adult because I know that I am not alone in my faith. I am so thankful for learning those things young and I want to pass it on to others. If we are teaching our children faith in God, then we are a success, not matter what failures we may see in ourselves along the way. And staying thankful for what we can do makes the journey extra sweet.