Gratitude grows when we stop long enough to see.

As we step into Thanksgiving week, it’s so easy to rush—to move from one task to another, one expectation to the next, and one mental list straight into the next thing we should be doing.

But what if today—before the table is set, before the family arrives, before you continue on the hamster wheel, before the emotions get loud— you slowed down long enough to truly notice?

Noticing is one of the most sacred ways to prepare your heart.
It is CRUCIAL preparation before you enter anywhere.
It pulls you out of the swirl and anchors you in the goodness that has been holding you all year long.
It reminds your spirit that gratitude isn’t found in a perfect moment—it’s formed in the pause—in the remembering of how His goodness has canvassed your life, cared for your heart, counseled your mind, and covered all of your days.

And when your pace softens, even a little, you start to see what hurry never lets you see.
The provision that carried you.
The healing that happened quietly.
The prayers God answered before you realized you were praying them.
The people who held space for you.
The mercies that met you morning after morning.
The strength you didn’t used to have.
The nearness of Jesus in every single season.
And even in the MIDDLE of navigating uncharted waters or circumstances you DON’T prefer, noticing gives you endurance to run with JOY.

This is how we prepare for Thanksgiving—not by perfecting the menu or managing every detail,
but by returning our attention to the One who has been faithful in a thousand unseen ways.

Gratitude grows when we stop long enough to see.
And the more you see, the more you remember:
God has been unbelievably good to you.
He is so, so, so kind 😭

So let this noticing soften your heart today.
Let it awaken gratitude for what already is.
And let it build faith for what you’re still hoping for.
Let it fill your spirit with HOPE and excitement to gather because the One who made every heart is refining, strengthening, and holding yours.

Once you start noticing, you’ll realize He is literally 🌟everywhere🌟