Since March of 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit America with force, we’ve all had to make lifestyle adjustments including the wearing of face masks and shields in efforts to slow down the spread of this highly Contagious disease. Nearly eighteen months later, we are now facing the reissuing of mask mandates in response to new strands of the disease, and once again, we are witnessing rising numbers of infections. One of the main reasons I am choosing to wear a mask when in stores and around large groups of people relates to the challenging question we must ask ourselves, “Are You Contagious?” Being cautious not to carry the disease to another person, I prefer to take precautions in case I am in fact unknowingly Contagious.

With a richer understanding these days about contagions and how easily they can be transmitted to others, I ask readers to consider a different scenario when an affirmative answer to the question, “Are You Contagious?” might be desirable. In Choosing Gratitude, Nancy DeMoss shares, “Gratitude joins many other important virtues that are more effectively caught than taught. How Contagious are you, especially at home?” This inquiry from DeMoss arises in light of the topic of growing grateful children. Most of us are fully aware of how children mimic what they see acted out in their presence, and DeMoss has me considering how I might model gratitude in a way that students are likely to catch.

One practice currently being attempted in my classes is to ask students to complete the following sentence: “I am grateful for ______ because ______.” Students are then prompted to consider a moment when a faculty or staff member went out of their way to assist them, challenged them in some way, or asked them to think about a concept in a new light. It is a delight for me to share these cards within our campus community. Everyone needs a little affirmation, at least on occasion, that someone is grateful for the investments they are making.

DeMoss challenges, “And while teaching and instruction have their place in growing gratitude in our kids, the best teacher of all (of course) is our example. Do your children hear you thank your husband when he tackles a home repair job or gets the car lubed? Do they hear you express gratitude to the Lord and to others for both little and big things throughout the day…Conversely, do they hear you grumble when your husband delays dinner by needing to see one extra client or when you get a flat tire or the sun doesn’t come out for a week?” My friend, Karol, has modeled this well in my presence with her children over the years, whether it was audibly thanking the pilot for allowing them to land safely or to the driver who took care to make sure they made it to their destination. Her example encouraged me to model this same behavior.

Desiring to answer yes to the question, “Are You Contagious?” becomes a reminder that even in the preschool rooms at church, we have the opportunity to teach gratitude by saying the simple words, “Thank you.” Even when we don’t have children of our own, DeMoss encourages us to consider who God has placed in our sphere of influence and what we are teaching them about gratitude by our lifestyle? My hope is we will all be Contagious and spread gratitude wherever we go and in all areas of our lives—at home, at work, at church, and in the community. It may not be easy, but it is simple—audibly express your thanks, compose a hand-written note, whatever method suits you best. Just be intentional about being Contagious.

Is there someone you know who is consistently Contagious with gratitude? If yes, please share a story about this person in the comments below.

References:

DeMoss, N.L. (2009). Choosing gratitude: Your journey to joy. [Kindle version]. Moody Publishers.