Giving thanks to God might roll off the tongue when the heart is joyful, like when God answers those long-awaited prayers with a yes, or when your kids play together without fights or fits, or when those shoes are on super final clearance and they're actually your size.

But what about on those days when God says no, or your kids are a hot mess, or you cannot find two matching shoes anywhere in your house.

How do we cultivate a thankful heart at all times? And how do we teach that to our children?

Today is packed with scripture and four ways to cultivate a thankful heart.

Welcome to the Sheproes Faithful podcast, episode number 38, truth and encouragement to live gospel-centered lives every day.

I'm your host, Lauren Lushak.

Hey ladies, it is so great to be back.

I actually took a week off because, as you can tell,

I am still trying to get over a cold. It was no fun. And I knew it. I knew what would happen.

It started with my children. And then you just can't stop kissing them. You just have to give kisses. And I knew I was doomed. So I'm still trying to get over this, but I couldn't,

I couldn't not do a podcast again because I have so much to tell you guys. I feel like we need

to sit down and have a cup of tea together. But I wanted to start with this story because

a couple Sundays ago, what, two Sundays ago, it was Easter. Such a fun Sunday, but my husband is an associate pastor

here at New City Church in Denver. By the way, if you're ever in Denver, come on out. We love to

meet you. We could be friends in real life. Anyway, historically, Easter is just a crazy time,

a crazy Sunday for pastors. Usually church attendance

goes up. You know, you're in high promotion time to encourage people to get plugged in to a

local body if they haven't been. So my husband, you know, has made this beautiful cross to hang up.

He's done all this work. He's gone out and done evangelism and

invited people to our church all preparing for Sunday. Me and my own, my kids are kind of sick.

And we're working on it. I'm thinking we can make it. Good Friday. We went to Good Friday service

and made it through. Sunday comes and I'm like, we're going to do this.

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