It seems my children are endlessly asking for something to eat. They assume that when they are hungry they can easily fill that need by going into the kitchen. If we are low on food they assume I can just run out and buy lunch or go to the grocery store. The feeling is one of entitlement and not gratitude. Hunger is an instinct that demands attention. Grocery stores are filled with food and the streets are dotted with restaurants on every corner. If you have a few dollars and need a bite to eat then you simply eat. It is far too easy for children to forget they should be thankful for the food placed on their plate. My little one will cry at dinner she does like what is on her plate. My older children often fuss if they must eat something on their plate. I told my children that only in the land of the plenty do children cry over having to eat while other children cry over NOT having anything to eat.
Children need to learn to be thankful for what is given to them. Prayers over food should never become hollow or simply the ritual before diving in to feed your hunger. Here are possible solutions to encourage your child to become more thankful for his full plate of food.
The primary goal is to teach a child to be thankful to the Lord for providing the meal on her plate. However, the age of a child may demand more concrete steps before making that connection. Since children are always asking for food then have them pay for it. Take them grocery shopping and give them a budget for spending money on snacks and lunches for the week. Do not give them more money or make deals to get extra snacks or even extra apples. Allow them the chance to work on a budget and make decisions.
Use your next geography lesson to learn about a missionary your church supports. If possible have your child contact the missionary or the missionary’s children to discuss the conditions where they live. Allow your child to see that in other countries children do not just hop over to McDonald’s or the grocery store.
Sponsor a Child is another way to give your child a concrete example of how desperate another child is for food and support. I am not associated with Sponsor a Child or an organization such as this so please check it thoroughly before deciding to support. Get your child involved in picking the child. Make this child part of your daily prayers and prayers before meal time. Your child will soon see how blessed she is for having a full plate.
Christmas is coming and there will be requests to adopt a family, get involved with Samaritan’s Purse, or work an evening in a soup kitchen. Whenever my family gets involved in something like this during Christmas I find my children focus much less on what they want and more on the needs of others.