As we step into the season of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on gratitude in motherhood in a deeper way. While Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated here in Tanzania, its message carries something special for every mother. Gratitude is not meant for one day only. It is a daily rhythm, a reminder that even in the busiest seasons of motherhood, there is beauty to be found when we pause long enough to notice it.
They say a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. I have seen this truth unfold in my own motherhood journey. In the laughter, the sleepless nights, and the quiet moments that only God can turn into blessings.
If you have ever found yourself in a season where motherhood felt lonely or overwhelming, you might enjoy reading When Motherhood Feels Lonely: Finding Strength in God. It is a reminder that even in the quietest moments, gratitude can lift our spirits back toward hope.
Finding Gratitude in the Little Things
Motherhood has a way of changing how we define a good day. Before I became a mom, a good day meant I had ticked off every item on my to do list. I measured my joy through productivity.
Now it is different. A good day is when my children are happy, healthy, and peaceful. When I do not have to rush to the hospital at night or hear the sound of a crying child in pain. It is when I can simply hold them close and know they are safe.
Motherhood has taught me that gratitude is not found in perfection but in presence. It is in the small miracles. The warm cuddles. The giggles during bath time. Even the messy floors that tell the story of a home filled with life.
When I wrote The Power of Journaling for Moms: 5 Easy Prompts to Start Today, I shared how writing can help us see the blessings that hide in our everyday moments. Gratitude grows when we slow down and pay attention.
Gratitude in Every Season of Motherhood
Each season of motherhood has shaped my heart in its own way.
Pregnancy taught me to be thankful for the unseen. For every milestone. For the way a tiny life grows quietly inside of me. For each new trimester that comes with both challenge and grace. I learned to thank God even through the nausea, the back pains and the moments of uncertainty.
The newborn stage taught me to appreciate stillness and surrender. Those early months are not easy. Sleepless nights, feeding every few hours and the unexpected reflux can make things heavy. Yet even then, I found gratitude. I remember being amazed at how my baby, still so little, would find a way to wake me up with a soft pat or a tiny hand reaching for me.
Toddlerhood has been a whole new adventure filled with wonder. Watching my firstborn care for her baby sister melts my heart. The way she rushes to grab a diaper or tries to make her smile reminds me that God’s love flows through even the smallest hands. In those moments, I whisper, thank you Lord, for letting me witness love in its purest form.
If you are walking through this stage, you might also enjoy How to Live Intentionally as a Mom. It explores how gratitude connects to living with purpose and peace, even in the busiest seasons.
The Faith Behind Gratitude
Gratitude and faith walk hand in hand. Every day, I thank God for His protection, for safe pregnancies, for healthy children, and for strength to be the mother He called me to be.
I have learned that I cannot control everything and that is okay. I cannot be everywhere my children are, but God can. I have learned to let go and trust His timing. He is a good Father who knows the plans He has for us.
When we thank God not only for the blessings but also for the waiting, the stretching, and the challenges, we open our hearts to a deeper peace. Gratitude is not only about what is going well. It is about recognizing His hand even when life feels heavy.
One of my favorite Bible verses on gratitude says, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. You can find it in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This verse reminds me that gratitude is not dependent on what I have, but on who God is.
Living with Everyday Thanksgiving
In my home, gratitude has become a daily practice, not just a feeling. Every morning and night, I bless my children in prayer. It has become such a habit that my oldest now reminds me, saying, Mommy, you have not blessed us yet. Hearing her pray for our family back fills my heart with so much joy.
Thanksgiving does not have to look like a fancy dinner or a decorated table. It is in the little routines. Morning cuddles. Bedtime prayers. Shared laughter. It is learning to thank God for another sunrise, for the ability to walk, see, breathe and love.
There is even scientific evidence that supports this. According to Harvard Health, gratitude can make you happier and improve your overall wellbeing. It is beautiful to know that both faith and science agree on the power of a thankful heart.
Though Thanksgiving Day may not be a Tanzanian tradition, I want to invite every mama, especially my fellow African mothers, to make gratitude a lifestyle. We can choose to live with thankful hearts every single day because gratitude changes everything. It softens us, centers us and draws us closer to God.
Family Traditions of Thankfulness
One of my favorite family traditions is celebrating birthdays. It is something my mother started when I was little, and it continues in my own home. Birthdays are our small Thanksgiving moments. A time to thank God for another year of life, good health and joy.
We make the day special by waking up early, going into the birthday person’s room, singing, hugging and praying over them. It is a simple act but one that reminds me how blessed we are to have each other.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Dear God,
We thank You for the beautiful lives You have given us.
Thank You for Your grace, kindness and mercy.
Thank You for loving us every day, for protecting us and for providing for us.
Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have focused on what we lack instead of all we have been given.
You have been closer than we realize and Your love never fails.
Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, as the purest expression of love.
Help us reflect that same love in our homes and our hearts.
Teach us to see the goodness in every day and to remain thankful in all seasons.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Amen.
Reflection Journal Prompt
Take a moment to pause and write.
Today, I am grateful for…
List three simple things that made your heart smile today.
Writing down your gratitude daily helps you stay present and intentional. If you want a gentle guide to begin this habit, you can revisit my post on The Power of Journaling for Moms: 5 Easy Prompts to Start Today.
Closing Thought
Gratitude does not mean life is perfect. It means choosing to see God’s goodness even in the imperfect. Every season of motherhood, whether peaceful or chaotic, carries its own blessings. When we live with a thankful heart, we create space for joy, peace and miracles to fill our homes.
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