Hey there,
November has always felt like an invitation to slow down a little.
The light changes. The mornings grow colder. The trees are letting go of the leaves they've held onto for months. And somewhere between the last signs of autumn and the first signs of Christmas, we find ourselves arriving at a season devoted to gratitude.
Or at least, that's what the calendar tells us.
The truth is gratitude doesn't always come naturally to me.
Sometimes I move through my days so focused on what needs to be finished, what still isn't working, or what I hope will happen next that I forget to notice the goodness already tucked into the middle of it all.
The hot cup of coffee that grew cold while I was writing.
The heartfelt conversation that stayed with me long after it ended.
The person who showed up at just the right moment.
The quiet nudges from God reminding me I am not walking through any of it alone.
I'm learning that gratitude isn't about convincing ourselves everything is wonderful. It isn't ignoring grief, disappointment, uncertainty, or the things we wish were different.
It's about making room to see the whole picture.
The hard things are real... but so is the goodness.
Both can exist in the same story... both exist in your story.
That's what I want to explore with you this month.
What might change if we became a little more attentive to the goodness already growing in our lives?
Not the goodness we hope to experience someday. Not the life we'll have when everything finally falls into place.
The goodness here. Today.
The November Daily Prayer emails will follow this thread together. We'll explore gratitude for ordinary things, the people who carry us, the lessons hidden in difficult seasons, the gifts we've overlooked, and the ways having a heart of thankfulness can change how we move through the world.
I hope these daily moments give you a little space to breathe, reflect, and recognize the quiet ways God is meeting you.
A little of what's happening around Purpose + Grit
There is always something taking shape around my kitchen table, and this season is no exception.
Gritty Faith Magazine
The newest edition of Gritty Faith Magazine is in the final design stages! Releasing on December 1, our 2027 edition is called Foundations and it will encourage you to dig deeper, find beauty in the ordinary, and build your life on the foundation of your faith. This publication is one of my favorite ways we bring stories, prayers, artwork, and encouragement together in one place here at Purpose + Grit. Preorder your copy here.
The Practice
I've also been finding my way back to the simple, faithful rhythms of creating—writing, praying, painting, noticing, and making room for wonder. That journey is what inspired The Practice, a year-long creative experience built around the idea of pulling up a chair and learning to pay attention to the life God has given us. I'm grateful for everyone joining me at that table. There is still room for you to join us too.
Meaningful Gifts
As we move toward the holidays, the shop at Purpose + Grit is filled with prayer cards, books, blankets, artwork, and other thoughtful reminders of faith and encouragement. Some are meant for our own quiet moments. Others help us reach for the right words when someone we love is walking through a difficult season.
Throughout November, I'll share my favorites in the Daily Prayer emails. And for the month of November, we're offering a little extra surprise: a unique Mystery Gift featuring jewelry and prayer cards with purchases of $50 or more at Purpose + Grit, while supplies last.
There's no need to wait for one particular shopping day. The offer runs throughout the month, so you can browse when it suits you.
Christmas Look Book
Plus, each November, we release a Christmas Look Book -- a digital guide to meaningful gifts and features from our Creators. Watch for this to arrive in your inbox later this week and shop with Purpose + Grit and all of the Creators we support in this space this holiday season!
Before you go…
I'd love for you to join me in a small practice this month.
At the end of each day, ask yourself:
What goodness did I almost miss today?
Maybe it will be something big. Maybe it will be something so ordinary you would normally overlook it.
Write it down. Say thank you. Tell someone. Let yourself linger there for a moment.
We don't have to manufacture gratitude. Sometimes we simply need to slow down long enough to recognize what's already there.
With love and gratitude,
Thank you for being here.
