3 Pillars of Gratitude: God, Friendship and Sharing With Joy
Posted on November 12th, 2026
Gratitude helps children recognize the blessings already present in their lives. It encourages them to look beyond what they want and appreciate God’s presence, the people who care for them, and the things they have been given.
For parents, gratitude can also create opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith, friendship, generosity, and contentment. These lessons do not have to begin with a long explanation. They can grow naturally through prayer, everyday experiences, and stories children understand.
The three pillars of gratitude are:
Gratitude to God for always being with us.
Gratitude for friends and the people who support us.
Gratitude for our possessions and the opportunity to share them.
1. Gratitude to God for Always Being With Us
The first pillar of gratitude is recognizing that God remains with us through peaceful moments, difficult days, and unexpected changes.
Children may sometimes feel frightened, uncertain, or too small to face a problem. Teaching them to thank God for His presence can provide comfort while helping them understand that faith does not mean they will never feel afraid. It means they can pray, ask for help, and remember they are never facing their fears alone.
A simple daily prayer can help children develop this habit:
“Thank You, God, for being with me today. Help me remember that I am never alone.”
Parents can reinforce this lesson by encouraging children to notice the moments when they feel God’s comfort. This might happen when someone helps them, when a prayer brings peace, or when they find courage to try something difficult.
In Janny the Junco Learns About Faith, a sudden gust of wind leaves Janny feeling frightened and small. With gentle encouragement from a friend, she learns to pray, find courage, and rest in God’s presence.
Janny’s journey can help children understand that gratitude to God is not limited to easy days. We can also thank Him for staying close during life’s storms.
After reading, parents can ask:
When have you felt afraid or uncertain?
Who helped you feel safe?
What can you say to God when you are worried?
What is one way God showed you that you were not alone today?
2. Gratitude for Friends and the People Around Us
The second pillar of gratitude is appreciating the people God places in our lives.
Friends bring encouragement, laughter, companionship, and support. They can help us try something new, adjust when plans change, and see hope when we are disappointed. Teaching children to appreciate these relationships helps them understand that friendship is a gift that must also be cared for.
Gratitude for others can be expressed through simple actions. Children can thank a friend for helping them, include someone who feels left out, listen when another person is speaking, or offer encouragement when a classmate is having a difficult day.
In Spiker the Jumping Spider Learns About Joy, Spiker and his friends discover ways to remain glad when plans change, when they must try something unfamiliar, and when worry begins to take over.
The story reminds young readers that joy often grows when experiences are shared with supportive friends. Instead of focusing only on what went wrong, children can learn to appreciate the people walking beside them.
Families can practice gratitude for friendship by:
Naming one person who made them smile that day.
Writing a short thank-you note to a friend, teacher, or relative.
Praying for someone who may need encouragement.
Sharing one quality they appreciate about each family member.
Inviting someone new to join a game or activity.
After reading Spiker’s story, ask:
Which friend are you especially thankful for?
How has a friend helped you through a difficult moment?
What can you do to bring joy to someone else?
How can you be a more encouraging friend?
3. Gratitude for Our Possessions and the Joy of Sharing
The third pillar of gratitude is appreciating what we have without allowing possessions to become more important than people.
Children naturally experience strong feelings about their belongings. They may worry that sharing means losing something or believe that having more will make them happier. Gratitude helps shift their attention from constantly wanting something new to recognizing what they already have.
Teaching children to care for and share their possessions does not mean they must give away everything they value. Instead, it helps them understand that toys, books, snacks, and other resources can become opportunities to show generosity.
In Ginger the Pony Learns About Goodness, Ginger discovers the sweetest clover on Yummy Hill and wants to keep it all for herself. Her selfish decision leaves her feeling unwell and pushes away her friends, Dottie and Dagger.
Ginger eventually realizes that having everything is not nearly as wonderful as having good friends. Through an honest apology and a generous spirit, she learns that sharing can make every meadow sweeter.
Her story gives parents a child-friendly way to discuss the difference between enjoying what we have and refusing to share with others.
Families can encourage generous habits by asking children to:
Choose gently used toys or books to donate.
Share a favorite snack with a sibling or friend.
Invite another child to use their art supplies or join their game.
Help someone by sharing their time or talents.
Thank God for three things they already have.
After reading Ginger’s story, ask:
Why did Ginger want to keep the clover for herself?
How did her decision affect her friends?
Why was apologizing important?
What is something you could share with another person?
How does generosity help friendships grow?
Helping Gratitude Become a Daily Habit
Gratitude becomes meaningful when children practice it regularly. Parents do not need an elaborate activity or lesson plan. A few intentional minutes each day can help gratitude become part of a child’s normal way of thinking.
Consider creating a simple family routine:
Thank God for one blessing during morning or bedtime prayer.
Name one person you appreciated that day.
Identify one possession or opportunity you are grateful to have.
Choose one act of kindness or generosity for the following day.
These conversations help children recognize that gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is a way of seeing God’s presence, valuing other people, and using what we have to bless someone else.
Explore Stories That Help Gratitude Grow
Stories give children memorable examples of faith, friendship, joy, goodness, and generosity in action.
Begin with Janny the Junco Learns About Faith to discuss gratitude for God’s presence.
Read Spiker the Jumping Spider Learns About Joy to explore gratitude for friendship and shared joy.
Choose Ginger the Pony Learns About Goodness to begin a conversation about possessions, generosity, and sharing with others.
Explore Janet Ashmore’s collection and discover faith-based stories that help young readers grow in gratitude—one meaningful lesson at a time.
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