The Heart of Gratitude
Driving into town recently, the glorious fall color caught my eye. All of the golds, fiery reds, and orange tones of the trees along the interstate stood tall and proud in the morning sun.
At once, my heart was thankful for God’s creative beauty and for the seasonal change that reminds me God crafted the world and all there is within.
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease
Genesis 8:22 CSB
Having a heart of gratitude is not always our first response to the season or our relationships, but as Modern Proverbs 31 women, we can cultivate a heart that expresses thankfulness by choosing to focus on the faithfulness of God- no matter the season.
Below are 10 Ways Christian Women Can Express Gratitude This Holiday Season. Let’s prepare our hearts now before the busy season settles in.
Gratitude Begins in the Heart
- Begin Each Morning with a Gratitude Pause
Before setting your alarm each night, try giving yourself even 5-10 extra minutes in the morning to pause and reflect. I love to look out the window or sit on the porch if the morning isn’t too cold..
Allowing the sun to hit my face for a moment not only uplifts my mood, it allows me to welcome the spirit of God into my thoughts.
Before getting dressed for the day, I also like to journal my thoughts or whisper words of praise and thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and grace.
“She rises while it is still night and
provides food for household”
Proverbs 31:15
- Express Gratitude in Your Daily Rhythms at Home
When our boys were quite young, doing laundry seemed to never end. And folding all of those little socks was a 20 minute matching game!
One day it occurred to me that instead of being annoyed at sock folding, I could express my heartfelt gratitude to God for the little ones He had entrusted to my care. I began to use that time to pray that my sons would grow to be men who love God and honor His Word.
I later learned that my prayer practice during laundry was a little bit like the Proverbs 31 Woman who “watches over the affairs of her household.”(Proverbs 31: 27)
Loving my family well matters in the small things.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal or “Thankful List”
Keeping a journal of gratitude may seem a bit tedious to some, but I find that listing out my thoughts of thanksgiving help me to rise above the noise of frustration that comes during busy seasons -holiday or otherwise.
A gratitude journal doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple notebook will do.
Gratitude in Action: Living Thankfully
- Share Your Gratitude with Others
Sending thank you notes may seem to be a lost art in a technology driven world. But can I tell you how much joy I feel to receive even the smallest of notes in the mail?
This season, pick up a packet of thank you notes and make a determined effort to express your gratitude to others.
Handwritten notes are a ministry of gratitude that affects our heart’s attitude and blesses our friends and loved ones with joy and appreciation.
- Give Back as an Act of Thanks
The “kindness” culture we live in during the holidays can be cute and fun in the drive through lane of our favorite coffee shop or fast food service. But what about volunteering in areas in our communities that will make an even greater impact?
My church is partnered with other local churches to run a food bank for our community. The coordinators spend hours obtaining donations from local grocery stores, restaurants, and generous donors.
During busy seasons, food banks and other organizations need extra hands to serve.
“She opens her arms to the poor.”
Proverbs 31:20
As a Modern Proverbs 31 woman, when we participate in this type of gratitude, we teach our children and those who observe our lives the blessing of serving others.
- Reflect on God’s Faithfulness in Past Seasons
I can already hear his voice now. The voice of my dad as he blesses the food and our family at Thanksgiving. He is a more sensitive man, but finding the right words isn’t always easy for him. So while his words are the same each year, it’s the emotions I hear in his voice as he thanks God for “all the many blessings”.
What if after the pumpkin pie and coffee, after the kids are napping, and the cousins and extra family have gone for the day, we took a few minutes to actually thank God for all of our many blessings?
Pick up your journal, find a cozy spot in your space, and make a heading in your journal: I AM THANKFUL FOR…
Then make a simple list of people, places, and experiences you wish to express gratitude to God.
If you’re not a journal keeper, maybe take a scenic walk and prayerfully acknowledge all the ways you’ve been blesse.. Talk to God as you walk and admire His creation.
Gratitude as Worship
- Worship Through Music and Song
Whether it’s a holiday season or not, I love having music playing in the house. Especially praise and worship songs. Some of my favorite artists have written songs that put scripture to melody and rhythm that speak to my heart.
Why not put together a favorite playlist for this time of year.
🎶 You might like my Spotify playlist:
While You Watch and Wait
- Give Thanks Even When Life is Hard
Giving thanks when life is hard is not easy. In fact, it can be the most difficult thing to do. However, when we choose to maintain a thankful heart toward God and others, it allows our minds relief from the oppression of negative thoughts.
The apostle Paul wrote the words, “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He wrote these words even after having experienced beatings, sickness, and prison. His example is for us to keep our hearts and minds focused on God instead of our circumstances.
By choosing gratitude in hard times, others notice our faith. Gratitude is one way to share the Word of God.
- Teach Gratitude to Your Family
Some families keep a thankful jar, some write their gratitude on a paper table runner, and others just speak their thanks out loud.
No matter your tradition, I believe it begins with the Christian women. We are uniquely designed as women to be highly influential in our family of origin as well as our own families. Let’s be the ones who lead the way and teach our families that gratitude is important.
- Make Thanksgiving a Lifestyle, Not Just a Holiday
What if gratitude wasn’t a season, but a way of life? What if we make it a point to express our gratitude in our everyday activities all year long? At the grocery store, the restaurants, events, and community gatherings?
What if our gratitude is the very thing that attracts others to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Christian Women: Sharing God’s Love Everywhere You Go
As Christian women, especially during the holiday season, we have countless opportunities to share the love of Christ through simple, sincere expressions of thanks.
In a world that often rushes past gratitude, we can slow down and speak life, honoring God by letting others know they are appreciated, valued, and seen.
Whether through words, small acts of kindness, or heartfelt prayers, our gratitude can become a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
We can do this! Let’s pray about it together:
Dear Jesus,
Help me to be a Proverbs 31 woman who gives thanks in every season. Whether the season is one of joy or hardship, let me trust that you care deeply for me and all that concerns me, I choose to be thankful.
💙YOUR TURN
Share one thing you’re thankful for in the comments. Let’s celebrate the season of gratitude together!
