Contentment is something that everyone wants but many find hard to obtain. It can also be a challenge to teach and instill in our children. There are a couple of keys to contentment that we need to consider:
• Contentment is not dependent upon outward sources but must be learned. (Philippians 4:11)
• Contentment can be learned when we take our focus off of things we think we want or need in order to be happy, and place it on the richness we already possess through the blessings of God.
If you would like your family to focus more on contentment at this time of year, here is a project to work on together…
Family Gift Box – Use a shoebox or other cardboard box with a removable lid, and wrap it like a present. Before wrapping the lid, cut a large open slit in it. Write out James 1:17a, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…”, and tape it to the side or lid of the box. Place it in a prominent area with a stack of index cards or slips of paper and a pen next to it. Through the remainder of the month of December, take time each day for every family member to write down one gift God has given them that they are thankful for. Don’t share it out loud but fold it up and place it in the gift box. On Christmas day, take time to open the gift box and read aloud everyone’s cards. Discuss how good God is to us all of the time then end with a prayer of thanksgiving.