Practice Gratitude & Generosity This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time to reflect on the year and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Maybe you’re thinking, “What blessings?”
It can be easy to get caught up in the pressures of parenting, work, and household responsibilities and miss all the beautiful things happening. It’s not that blessings aren’t there, but the constant demands can make it harder to pause and acknowledge them.
Embracing gratitude as part of our daily lives requires a conscious effort, but it’s worth it. An attitude of thankfulness brings a sense of calm, fulfillment, and joy.
Here are a few ways gratitude can lift your spirit this season and show you how giving back to others delivers a powerful sense of purpose.
The Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is not just a fleeting 'thank you'—it’s a lens through which you can see the world, a mindset shift that can profoundly impact your emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. The Bible is rich with teachings on the power of gratitude, showing how a thankful heart can fill you with hope and joy.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
Gratitude can help reduce stress, foster resilience, and increase happiness. It allows you to shift your focus from the challenges you face to the good in your life, whether it’s the love you share with your children, the small victories in your daily challenges, the kindness of a coworker, or the support from friends and family.
Even when life feels overwhelming, pausing and reflecting on the good things can turn a rough day into one filled with hope. It only takes a moment. You could start a simple gratitude journal, share a daily gratitude post on social media, or send a simple gratitude text to a friend group. However you express it, look for at least three things each day that made you smile or brought you peace.
Over time, practicing gratitude will help shift the focus from what's lacking to what’s abundant.
The Gratitude Challenge
Whether you’re happy with where your life is right now or wish things were different, you can choose to be thankful.
If you think, “I’m not sure practicing gratitude will make a difference in my life,” try a little experiment. We call it The Gratitude Challenge, and it's designed to help you cultivate a habit of gratitude. You only need to commit to one day at a time, making it manageable.
MORNING: Before you even get out of bed, think of three things you’re thankful for and thank God for them.
DAYTIME: As you go through your day, notice and mention the things you appreciate about others.
EVENING: At night, pray and thank God for three challenges you are currently facing.
Once you do that for just one day, then do it for another day until you’ve practiced gratitude for one week. See how you feel after a week. If it’s making a difference, keep going for a month—building a habit only takes 21 days!
Your Children Will Notice
Your children are incredibly perceptive and often mirror the behaviors they observe in you. Your children will notice when you practice gratitude through words, actions, or a positive outlook. When they see you expressing appreciation for even small things, they will begin to understand the value of gratitude.
Whether it’s saying "thank you" without being prompted or showing kindness to others, your children will learn to be more grateful by witnessing your example.
The Gratitude And Generosity Cycle
Don’t be surprised if practicing gratitude overflows into generosity.
This service you perform not only supplies the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. -2 Corinthians 9:12
There is a cycle of gratitude and generosity. When you begin to see how much God has given you, you will want to supply the needs of others, which will cause you to express more thanks to God. Your generosity will also become the object of someone else’s gratitude.
Practical Ways To Give
If you are struggling to meet your own needs, you may wonder how you could possibly supply someone else’s needs. Here are a few ideas:
Donate Gently Used Items: Whether clothing, toys, or household items, donating items to local organizations is a simple yet impactful way to give back. If you’re local to Shepherd’s Village, consider donating to Shabby to Chic to benefit other single moms.
Volunteer at Community Events: This time of year, in particular, many communities host holiday meals or food drives for families in need. Volunteering a few hours at one of these events can be a great way to give back and show your children the value of helping others. There are also many other ways to get involved in your community throughout the year.
Share Your Skills: If you have a talent—cooking, organizing, or budgeting—consider sharing it with other single moms in your community. Hosting a small class or offering help to other moms can make a big difference in their lives.
Do you have a skill that can benefit other single moms? Reach out to us and let us know. There may be ways we can include you in our podcast, community, or classes.
Get Your Kids Involved
Your kids will love getting involved in acts of generosity. Whether they’re helping collect food for a food drive, writing thank-you notes to their teachers, or making small care packages for neighbors, teaching your children how gratitude spurs generosity is something you’ll never regret. You can also involve them in choosing items to donate, or in preparing a meal for a community event.
Community involvement builds values that will stay with them for a lifetime. By embracing gratitude and giving back, you’ll enhance your life and teach your children the importance of compassion and kindness.
Why Wait?
The best time to start practicing gratitude is not tomorrow or next week, but right now. Take a moment to thank God for three things. Jot down the names of three people who could use a word of appreciation today, and make a point to communicate with them how thankful you are for them. Finally, pray about your current challenges and ask God to help you turn your worries, fears, and struggles into praise, joy, and thanksgiving.
If you need prayer, let us know! We’d love to pray for you. We have a prayer hotline (855-822-PRAY). Call us if you’d like to pray with someone right now. Or send us your prayer request through our website. We’d love to hear from you.