Sometimes a discouraging part of parenthood is dealing with ingratitude. Sure, we have trained our children to say, “please” and “thank you,” but true gratitude is something they may not really understand yet. Small children simply don’t know everything parents do for them. They don’t realize that every meal, every drink, and every piece of clothing has been paid for. They don’t realize that the home they live in, the furniture they sleep in, the heater that keeps them warm, and the air conditioner that keeps them cool have all come out of their parents pocketbooks. They don’t realize the long hours of thought, care, and prayer that have been devoted on their behalf.

I did not really come to grips with how much my parents did for me until I was married and had children of my own. When all of the bills and responsibility came pouring down on me, I quickly realized how much I had taken my parents for granted. Despite times of ungratefulness and ingratitude, parents are happy to provide for their children because of their love.

While we may remember to thank our physical parents, rarely do people stop to consider just how much the Heavenly Father has done for us. He has literally given us everything we have. Best of all, He has given us spiritual blessings, something no one else can give us, not even our parents (Ephesians 1:3).

As 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Let’s remember to be grateful to our parents, but more importantly, let’s constantly remember to give our Heavenly Father the praise and thanks He so rightly deserves.

–Brett Petrillo