• The Secret Power of Gratitude
    gratitude,  Grief,  inspiration,  thanksgiving

    The Secret Power of Gratitude

      It’s the holiday season. We are bundling up in scarves and mittens; buying gifts and trimming the Christmas tree. Although Christmas is almost upon us, I still keep thinking of Thanksgiving and the idea of practicing gratitude in everyday life.  The holiday season is a difficult time of year for many people. So many of us have experienced loss over the years. And many are still isolated due to the pandemic. And of course, this is one of the busiest times of year, adding stress to our plates. Kind of hard to always feel grateful when all of this is a lead weight on your shoulders. If you feel…

  • My Thankful List-2020 Edition
    gratitude,  inspiration,  life

    My Thankful List-2020 Edition

    Thanksgiving 2020 is upon us! I don’t know about you, but a week ago I was not exactly feeling grateful. Between the COVID-19 spikes, lockdowns, and political unrest, 2020 has been a difficult year for many.  But my perspective changed when I noticed how my blog post from 5 years ago on my gratitude list was trending. It reminded me that even in the midst of a difficult year, we can always choose to be thankful.  Looking back at my old post, I realize that even though some of the things I am thankful for are the same, my life has changed and I have grown in many ways. If you’ve…

  • 3 Ways Gratitude Will Change Your Life
    inspiration,  thanksgiving

    3 Ways Gratitude Will Change Your Life

    I used to keep a detailed gratitude journal. I challenged myself to write at least 5 things a day that I was thankful for–even on the toughest days. Although this might seem like a cute positive thinking exercise, there is so much more to a lifestyle of gratitude. I found that even on my worst days when having a chronic illness made me bedridden or when I felt the heavy weight of being single press in on me, I could still choose gratitude. Gratitude not only changes our thinking; it transforms our whole lives. Here are 3 ways practicing gratitude has transformed my life and faith. Re-tracing God’s Faithfulness When…

  • Jesus,  thanksgiving

    A Surprising Way to Cultivate Gratitude

    It’s Thanksgiving–a celebration of joy, gratitude, family, and delicious food. And while I plan on spending time with loved ones and going into a turkey coma, I can’t help but think of those who are overlooked this season. You see, I know a woman whose teenage son died last weekend. Her heart is broken. I also know a family whose father is slowly dying of cancer. Their spirits are weary. Where is the Thanksgiving turkey for these people? Most of the time we struggle to find gratitude in our everyday lives (myself included). How does remembering these hurting souls help us in cultivating a heart of gratitude? The Calling The…

  • faith,  inspiration,  thanksgiving

    Being Thankful During Hard Times

    There are a lot of things to be grateful for in life, but sometimes it’s hard to be glad if you are struggling. Right now I’m going through a lot of change in my life–both good and difficult. That’s life. There’s change and loss. I’m just being real. I want you to know that it’s possible to be a thankful Christian even when life gets tough.  Emotions aren’t singular; at times it can seem like they overwhelm us.  We can be a whole rainbow of emotions on any given day, and that’s okay. That’s also  good news for those of us who may be sad or stressed this year, but…