“And the idea is, now today, as I'm walking through this day, to look for, not, I ought to be grateful, I ought to be grateful, I should. And it's good to be aware of that. But to evoke gratitude, we begin here today, want to be grateful.
Look for opportunities to want to be grateful. And so, we're doing little exercises in gratitude. The exercise that I'm inviting you and me into today, the opportunity is, think of people in your life.
I mentioned my pal Mark Nelson has a list of gratitude exercises that can get it out of the obligation category into the opportunity category. So today, think of five people for whom you are grateful. And there's something about thinking of people that have blessed my life, that have impacted me, that have given to me, that have changed me, that when I stop and reflect on them, I find myself beginning to experience gratitude and it's a joyful thing.”
“Which of these do you have going for you right now? Family, friends, love, health, freedom from war and natural disaster, imagination, community, a roof over our heads, common decency, hope, opportunity, memories, financial stability, favorite places, days off work, good weather, the golden age of television, but you never thank God for that before, books, music, ice cream, weekends, a friendly exchange, something good that happened today, something bad that did not happen today, a good cup of coffee.
Now you add your own item, whatever it is.
Thank God we're here. In all circumstances, the time that we thank is now. The key moment for gratitude is now, because if I miss it now, this now will never come back.
Thank God.”
I used to be a real curmudgeon. I always had something to complain about. But these days I’m looking for God everywhere, knowing he is right where I am. and this small practice is changing me.”
Somehow, the more I practice noticing, the more my eyes adjust to a different kind of light. And as I keep paying attention, the smallest moments begin to mean something new—almost as if they’ve been waiting for me to finally see them. The quiet stretch of morning before the world wakes up. A sunset. The few deep breaths I take when I remember to be still. Even a short, whispered prayer—barely a sentence—settling into my soul like an anchor. These moments don’t shout. They don’t solve everything. But they keep nudging me back to myself, back to God, back to the truth that God is with me and in Him everything is going to be alright.
And as those small moments soften me, they help me see the bigger truths too: the world is a mess. I am a mess. And yet, God keeps pressing tiny offerings into my hands—the way sunlight hits the sink full of dishes, the laughter of a kid who has no idea how worried I am, the dog who doesn’t care that I haven’t showered, the cookies someone brought over simply because they love me.
These small things don’t fix everything, but they whisper something important:
You are surrounded by gifts you didn’t earn and blessings you can’t always see clearly.
Gratitude doesn’t solve your life.
It doesn’t fix your bank account or your heartbreak or your inbox.
But it stitches little seams of light into the dark places. It helps us pay attention to the miracles hiding in plain sight: breath, birds, brownies, the man at the bar offering wisdom found in grief.
Gratitude doesn’t deny pain or grief, but reminds you that what you have endured still matters.
It doesn’t pretend everything is simple or beautiful.
But it helps you notice the pieces of life that still are.
Gratitude won’t save you—but it will hold your hand while God does.
Looking at pictures we have taken, I’m reminded that change happens
We grow up, pursue our dreams and goals,
We learn to figure out what our lives will be
Change is coming.
And yet, God remains the same.
Change is coming, ready or not.
But I am loved, you are deeply loved
Change is coming.
And yet, God continues to give us His peace.
Change is coming.
And yet, every piece of me is here to be held.
Change is coming.
And yet, I know that where I am, God is too.
From Become New with John Ortberg: 6. The RIGHT Moment for Gratitude, Nov 17, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/become-new-with-john-ortberg/id1554045522?i=1000737058579&r=562
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From Become New with John Ortberg: 2. Practicing Gratitude Every Day, Nov 11, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/become-new-with-john-ortberg/id1554045522?i=1000736233770&r=348
This material may be protected by copyright.
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