Fall is such a full season. Between new schedules, shorter days, and the quiet weight of responsibilities, it’s easy to slip into survival mode. But gratitude is one of the simplest ways to pause and remember God’s faithfulness — right in the middle of it all.
Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship -- and certainly it is not an easy shift when you're in the middle of a crisis-- but it does change how we see it. It roots us in the truth that joy and struggle can live side by side. When we practice thankfulness, we invite peace into our homes and hope into our hearts.
Here are three gratitude practices that have helped me stay rooted in joy, even in hard or hurried seasons:
1. Keep a running gratitude list 🍂
For years, I’ve kept a simple gratitude journal. Some entries are small, like “a new nail polish color” or “a quiet cup of tea.” Others are bigger, like timely messages from a friends, answered prayers or healing milestones.
I’m on entry 2,432 in my journal, and today I wrote this: “I’m grateful I get to homeschool from rest, work while healing (51 months), and spread joy to hurting hearts.”
Each entry feels like a stone in a foundation — one brick at a time, gratitude has built something solid under my feet.
Try this: keep a small notebook or a note in your phone and add one entry a day. Over time, you’ll see just how faithful God has been.
Scripture to hold onto:
2. Share gratitude out loud
Gratitude grows when we speak it. Whether it’s telling your child “I’m thankful for your smile today,” or texting a friend “I’m grateful for you,” spoken gratitude encourages both the giver and the receiver.
In my home, I have an alarm that goes off at 1 p.m. to share what we are grateful for in that moment. It shifts the atmosphere — even when the day’s been messy.
Try this: pick one person this week and tell them a specific thing you’re thankful for. Watch how it changes the tone of the moment.
Scripture to hold onto:
“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things.” – Proverbs 18:20
“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things.” – Proverbs 18:20
3. Pair gratitude with movement
Our bodies carry stress in ways we don’t always notice. Pairing gratitude with gentle movement is one of the most powerful ways I’ve found to release tension and reset my spirit.
This could be as simple as stretching while thanking God for your health, or walking outside while naming three things you’re grateful for.
Sometimes, I put on worship music and sway, letting my body and heart align in praise.
Sometimes, I put on worship music and sway, letting my body and heart align in praise.
Try this: before bed, stand, stretch, and thank God for one thing from the day. Let it be the last note your body and spirit carry into sleep.
Scripture to hold onto:
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:6
A Final Word of Encouragement
Friend, joy isn’t found in having a perfect life. Joy is cultivated when we choose gratitude, one small moment at a time. Gratitude anchors us when life feels chaotic. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and keeps us steady through the changing seasons.
Even if your gratitude list today only has one thing, that’s enough. Start there. One entry, one sentence, one breath of thankfulness. Over time, those little moments will grow into roots of joy you can lean on.
Let’s Journey Together
If you’d love a little encouragement each week — simple, faith-rooted practices to help you stay well, create calm, and cultivate joy — I’d love to invite you to join my email community.
Together, we’ll practice gratitude, resilience, and joy — not perfectly, but faithfully.
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