💛 Embracing the Power of Gratitude in Everyday Life
Introduction
Today, I want to talk about something beautifully simple—but incredibly powerful: gratitude.
For parents raising children on the autism spectrum, gratitude isn’t always the first feeling that comes to mind. Between appointments, meltdowns, and the constant unknowns, it can feel far away. But what if gratitude isn’t just something “nice” to practice? What if it’s actually a healing tool—one that can shift the energy in our homes, our hearts, and even our bodies?
Let me share three stories that show how gratitude can gently transform even the hardest moments.
Sweeping with Gratitude
When my boys were little, it felt like I was always sweeping. The floor never stayed clean for more than five minutes, and I used to get frustrated.
Then one day, I decided to shift how I looked at it. As I swept, I thought about what the dirt represented—healthy boys who had been outside playing. I felt thankful for a home that needed sweeping and for a body strong enough to do it.
That small change turned resentment into peace. The task didn’t change—but I did.
You can try this too. Whether you’re folding laundry, cleaning up spills, or juggling therapy appointments, pause for a moment and ask, “What can I be grateful for right now?” You might be surprised how it changes how you feel.
A Braid of Gratitude
Another time, during a prayer group, I saw a beautiful image in my mind: a braid woven from faith, hope, and charity.
It reminded me that when we intertwine those three qualities, gratitude becomes strengthened —a rope strong enough to lift us through hard times.
I thought about friends who had shown deep gratitude through incredible challenges. Their example helped me when I broke my foot. Instead of feeling frustrated, I chose gratitude for the healing process—every step, every twinge of pain.
The day I walked through Costco without thinking about my foot, I felt this wave of thankfulness wash over me. Gratitude has a way of giving us a higher perspective—it helps us rise above what’s hard.
The Deeper Gratitude of the Soul
There’s also a deeper kind of gratitude—the kind that doesn’t make logical sense.
Years ago, after my son Devon was kidnapped and miraculously returned home, I felt immense gratitude that he was safe. But one day while preparing a church lesson, I felt prompted to be grateful that he was kidnapped!
At first, I thought I must have misunderstood. But as I prayed, I realized that experience—though terrifying—had protected Devon from future danger and taught us lessons we couldn’t have learned otherwise.
That moment opened something sacred inside me. I call it soul-deep gratitude—the kind that heals in ways words can’t describe.
Choosing Gratitude
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, “We can choose to be grateful no matter what.”
True gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending things are fine. It’s about finding peace even when they’re not.
This week, try to see your life like a braid—woven with faith, hope, love, patience, forgiveness, and gratitude. When you pause and breathe in gratitude, even for the hard things, light enters. Healing follows.
Conclusion
I’m grateful for you—for showing up with love, for parenting with so much heart, and for sharing this message with others who need hope.
When we practice gratitude, even in small ways, we open the door to something sacred. We invite peace, healing, and light into our homes and our hearts.
