When I was growing up, my parents didn't sit me down to preach long epistles to me when it came to life lessons I learned from them. They lived their lives practically for me to emulate. For sure, I still received oral teachings on how to do things, especially from my grandma, but most things I grew as an adult to live through, I practically learned these lessons from my parents watching them live and do things practically.
There are many of them; I watched my grandma always up and doing, such a hardworking woman. Even as a widow, she hustled to train all her 7 children. It is a whole lot I learned from her because I lived with her from when I was 7 years old until I got married. Being content with what I have, respect, and showing commitment in whatever I find myself doing, or is it prayers? I practically learned a lot from them, and unconsciously it became part of me as I grew into adulthood.
However, there is this particular valuable thing I learned from my mom; to date, I still live by that lesson and have been transferring it to my children gradually. Mum taught me the need to always express gratitude to people whenever I receive a gift or any kind of help from them. As simple as gratitude, it's been one of the most valuable things I learned from her as I kept experiencing the impact of it in my life in diverse ways.
Back then, she made it as a family rule for my siblings and me. She said for any financial assistance any of our relatives give to us, we must let her know so she can thank them, while we should genuinely appreciate that help, whether big or small. If she mistakenly hears it by chance that anybody credit your account and you refuse to voice it out...you have entered hot soup for real. She didn't joke with gratitude; she wore it like a garment.
I watched one of my uncles, who people always talk about his level of stinginess, always show up for my family. I tried connecting the dot, and one day, the man said the way my mom used to express her gratitude to him whenever he gave a little money gladdened his heart and pushed him to do more even. It's the same thing as our God. Our God doesn't eat food or drink, but genuinely thank him for what he is doing for him and watch him do more. That's the heart of gratitude, very necessary.
So even as I have grown into adulthood, I have embraced gratitude; as little as it sounds, it has made many impacts in my life. A woman loves me today because she said she loves the way I thank her for every little thing with a smile. It's simple; people love it more when you acknowledge the help rendered to you. It costs nothing to be grateful; it's a plus, and I don't joke with that. Good enough; my kids are learning that too. It's a must virtue for all of us.
Indeed, a valuable lesson from Mum, and I don't think twice to keep inculcating these lessons to my offerings too.