How can we express gratitude for our children as Jacob did in Genesis 33:5? The moment in Genesis 33 : 5 “He looked up and saw the women and children and asked, ‘Who are these with you?’ Jacob replied, ‘The children God has graciously given your servant.’” (Berean Standard Bible) Jacob’s pattern of gratitude • He immediately acknowledged God as the Giver. • He used the word “graciously,” stressing undeserved favor. • He spoke gratitude publicly, in front of family and others. • He accepted his role as “servant,” keeping humility at the center. Ways to echo Jacob’s gratitude today • Speak it out loud – Tell your children, spouse, and friends that you see them as gifts from God. – Share testimonies in church or small group describing God’s grace in giving you each child. • Write it down – Keep a gratitude journal that names each child and notes specific ways you see God’s grace in them. – Send handwritten notes to your children at milestones—birthdays, graduations—affirming that they are “gracious gifts” from God. • Incorporate gratitude into everyday rhythms – At mealtimes, thank God specifically for each child by name. – During family devotions, read Genesis 33 : 5 and openly thank God for your children. • Model humility – Refer to yourself as God’s servant, recognizing stewardship rather than ownership. – Invite older children to join you in serving others so they see humility lived out. • Celebrate God’s grace, not personal achievement – When complimented on your children, redirect praise to God as Jacob did. – Refrain from boasting in parenting methods; boast in God’s generous hand. Cultivating a lifelong habit of thanks • Memorize Genesis 33 : 5 to keep the truth close to your heart. • Set calendar reminders—birthdates, adoption days, spiritual birthdays—to pause and thank God. • Maintain an attitude of expectancy, watching for fresh evidence of God’s grace in each child’s growth, and voicing thanks the moment you notice. |
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