As Parents, Let’s Raise the One Who Turns Back

When was the last time you said a heartfelt “thank you” not just out of politeness but out of deep appreciation? To a friend? A parent? A teacher? A Spouse, God?

Take a moment to think about it. Now take a moment to imagine what the world would look like if everyone expressed gratitude for their lifestyle.

Can you picture that?

At The Overflow Life, our mission has always been to serve from a place of abundance where giving flows from compassion, not for applause or recognition. Over the years, we’ve extended scholarships to families we genuinely desired to uplift, not to be seen, but simply to help ease a burden and pour hope into their journey.

But over time, I began to notice a painful pattern, one that taught me a sobering lesson: not every heart responds to kindness with gratitude. Sometimes, what came back wasn’t appreciation but entitlement.

No, thank you. No acknowledgement. Just a silent expectation that more would follow.

And it hurt, not because I needed praise, but because it revealed how easily generosity can be taken for granted when gratitude is no longer taught or treasured. Also something deeper is broken and out of place

We live in a world where gratitude has become optional. A world that celebrates the gift but forgets the giver.

I see the same attitude in everyday interactions. A mentor offers hours of guidance, a teacher goes the extra mile, or a friend steps in during a tough season, yet there’s no “thank you”, no recognition of the effort. Just a shrug or a casual, “That’s what they’re supposed to do.”

And if someone dares to suggest that a little acknowledgement is in order, the response can be sharp: “Do you want a medal for doing your job?”

But that’s not it.

It’s not about wanting applause. It’s about honouring the sacrifice someone made, because no one has to be kind. Kindness is a choice, and it deserves to be seen.

Gratitude isn't about glorifying the giver. It's about recognising that someone chose to be kind, chose to go out of their way, and chose to give when they didn’t have to.

Last year on my YouTube channel, The Overflow Life with Dr Oke, we had an extensive and heartfelt discussion about why gratitude should be part of our daily lives. We talked about how a heart rooted in thanksgiving unlocks a life of joy and contentment. Gratitude shifts our focus, help us see what’s working instead of what's lacking. It humbles us, softens us, grounds us.

But the absence of gratitude carries consequences.

When we stop being thankful, we become bitter.

When we feel entitled, we start comparing.

When we ignore the hand that feeds us, whether divine or human, we slowly disconnect from the grace that sustains us.

Ingratitude breeds pride. It erodes relationships. It blinds us to the blessings right in front of us. Worse still, it can block the next miracle.

Luke 17 tells the story of ten lepers who cried out to Jesus for healing. He heard them, saw them, healed them all. But only one came back to say thank you. And to that one, Jesus didn’t just say “you’re healed.” He said, “Your faith has made you whole.”

Gratitude doesn’t just acknowledge the gift. It completes the miracle.

That’s what I want my children to understand. That’s what I want the next generation to live out.

Gratitude should be visible in the home, in how we thank our teachers, how we honour our staff, and how we acknowledge even the smallest acts of kindness. And most importantly, how we daily thank God for His mercy, provision, and presence.

Because our children become what they watch. If they see us complain more than we give thanks, they’ll learn to do the same. If they see us expecting more than we appreciate, we’ll raise hearts that feel owed instead of hearts that overflow.

Let’s not raise kids who demand everything and honour no one.

Let’s raise the one who turns back.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Living a life that overflows with gratitude becomes a reality for us and people around us when you consider the following actions:

1. Start a Gratitude Journal

   Write down 3 things you're grateful for every day. Big or small, write them down and let it shift your focus.

2. Model Thankfulness at Home

   Let your children or those around you hear and see you say “thank you”. Be vocal and visible with your appreciation.

3. Teach the Story of the One Leper

   Share Luke 17:11–19 with your family or group. Reflect together on what it means to complete the miracle with gratitude.

4. Acknowledge the Giver, Not Just the Gift

   The next time you receive help, support, or a blessing, go beyond a quick “thanks”. Pause. Honour the effort. Acknowledge the sacrifice.

5. Thank God Daily

   Make thanksgiving part of your prayers. Before asking for anything, give thanks for what already is.