A Round-Robin of Gratitude

Hello friends! I wanted to share a simple and quick daily ritual we do at home called "Words of Affirmation".  My husband started it a year or so ago and it's become one of our favorite parts of dinner time.

About a year ago, I decided to become a stay-at-home Mom full-time.  Prior to this, I was an entrepreneur and my life revolved around ME! I felt God tugging on my heart to give it all up for His glory and to, instead, focus on my ministry at home of being a Godly mom and wife.  This was a tough thing for me to do...especially since my focus had been on me and my accomplishments for so long.  I was used to hearing accolades all of the time and I enjoyed it!  So to now be at home and rarely get a "thank you" and for my daily sacrifices to go unnoticed was a struggle for me. My ego took a hit. But to be honest, it really needed to.  My head was so big that no one else could fit in the room with me...not even God.  Over the last year, the Lord has transformed me, my heart, my stinkin' thinkin', and now I am so grateful for the opportunity to be at home where I feel called to be.

As I struggled with my new title and position of being a stay-at-home Mom, I told my husband about the ups and downs (more downs than ups back then).  I expressed that I'm at home taking care of an infant who cannot say a word and only seems to cry.  I am caring for our older son who is mad at the fact that we have a tighter budget now that I'm not working and is constantly complaining about things.  And truth be told, I told my husband that I was envious that he was getting out of the house every day and going to work.

With that, one night at dinner, he said "We're going to do words of affirmation tonight.  Each person is going to say what they appreciate about every family member" and he modeled for us how to do it.  He started with our youngest Gabe and he told Gabe what he appreciated about him.  He then went to our oldest Emmanuel and told Emmanuel what he appreciated about him.  And finally, he got to me and told me what he appreciated about me.  After he was done, I followed his lead and did the same.  I started with Gabe and then Emmanuel and then my husband.  Emmanuel then followed my lead and he said something that he appreciated about Gabe, me, and Daddy.  And since Gabe couldn't speak, we said what we thought Gabe appreciated about each of us.

This very simple round-robin of gratitude changed our entire dinner and our attitude.  Emmanuel started thanking me for things that I thought went unnoticed - whether it was what I made for dinner that night or helping him with his homework or being patient with him.  I had an opportunity to thank my husband for being a wonderful and supportive husband and dad.  And Emmanuel just lights up every time we say what we appreciate about him.

It's such a small gesture...but it goes such a long way.  Having a heart of gratitude and expressing that to each other and allowing our kids to hear it really makes a huge impact.  It not only allows us to stop for a minute and think about all of the wonderful blessings God has bestowed upon us that day but it also fills our "love tank" and makes us want to continue to show each other love in different ways.

Ephesians 5:20 "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

**For more ideas on practical ways to live out your faith at home with your family, make sure to attend Re-Ignite with The Mom Sqaud at Root Candle (in Medina) on Saturday, September 20th.  Brooke will be leading a breakout session called "Proclaim: Equipping Families to Live Out they Faith in the Home".  Make sure to register for this great event today! Re-Ignite with The Mom Squad