When was the last time you slowed down long enough to notice God—not in your plans or prayers, but right there in the moment you were living? When we take the time for a grateful heart pause, joy and presence meet. In those still moments, when our hearts stop racing and our thoughts are quiet, we begin to see that God’s goodness has been surrounding us all along — waiting for us to notice.
A Pause that Changed Everything
I lay there staring at the ceiling, mind racing through all that needed my attention. Yet I was unable to move without sending excruciating pain down my legs and back. I clenched my hands so tight the knuckles turned white, and I cried out, “God, please not another day of this. Do you not like me?”
Unable to drive, move, or even get dressed without assistance, there was no rush to arise. I’d have to wait for my husband to assist, humbly receiving his help as he slipped on my socks one at a time.
I remembered the first time this pain arrived and stayed for months, and how I didn’t handle it well. Living with chronic pain is hard and wears a person thin. The once-grateful, positive me turned inward and distant, and God seemed far away. I even wondered if life was worth living if suffering was constant.
But that morning, I sensed a choice before me. So, with all my strength, I reached for the remote to open the shades. As light spilled, my worries began to dissipate. The deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds arched over the mountain range. The warmth of God’s presence filled the room, and I was in awe of His creation.
Unable to hold in my joy, I shouted aloud, “Thank you, Lord. You are with me, and even if I have to stay right here in pain, I can still see Your masterpiece.”
Gratitude shifted everything. My circumstances hadn’t changed — but my heart had.
Have you ever noticed how gratitude often sneaks in when we least expect it?
When we pause long enough to notice God, gratitude fills the space—and joy follows. #joy #gratitude Share on XWhat is a “Grateful Heart Pause”?
A grateful heart pause is a sacred slowing — an intentional choice to thank God for what is, not what’s missing.
It’s more than jotting down a gratitude list (though that’s beautiful too). It’s when your soul becomes aware of two things:
1. God’s Presence— He is always near us.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1 NIV)
2. Our Own Presence—choosing to be fully awake in the present moment, aware of God’s goodness that surrounds us.
“It’s not joy that makes us grateful; it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.”
—David Steindl-Rast
What if gratitude were not another task to accomplish but instead a doorway to experience God’s presence in your day?
Why Pausing Matters
A grateful heart pause is good for the soul. When we slow down to give thanks, we:
- Reconnect with God when life feels loud or overwhelming.
- Shift from worry to appreciation.
- Notice the joy that has been surrounding us all along.
Remember, gratitude doesn’t bring Jesus closer; instead, it opens our eyes to see that He’s already here.
“Be still, and know that I am God....”
(Psalm 46:10)
What keeps you from pausing? The hurry? The worry? Or the endless distractions?
What if God’s whisper is waiting in the very moments we rush past?
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakeing to new wonder, and to praise of the goodness of God
—Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
The Practice — Pausing with a Grateful Heart
Gratitude isn’t a checklist; it’s a posture — a way of living aware and awake to God’s goodness.
Here are three simple ways to take a Grateful Heart Pause:
1. Pause and Breathe
Take a deep breath in, and know each breath is a gift from God.
“Then the Lord God made man from the dust of the ground. And He breathed into his nose the breath of life. Man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NLV)
2. Pause and Notice
Look for the small blessings God has placed on your path—laughter, a sunset, a friend’s text, the scent of coffee.
What’s one beautiful blessing you noticed today?
3. Pause and Whisper Thanks
Speak gratitude aloud — even a whispered “Thank You, Jesus.”
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
“Thanksgiving is a spiritual exercise, necessary to the building of a healthy soul. It takes us out of the stuffiness of ourselves into the fresh breeze and sunlight of the will of God.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart
How might you build a small gratitude pause into your day?
The Promise — Where Joy and Presence Meet
There are two layers of presence we experience in a Grateful Heart Pause.
1. God’s Presence
His nearness brings joy that no circumstance can steal.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
(Psalm 16:11 NIV)
2. Our Presence in the Moment
When we stop striving and begin noticing, joy begins to rise out of the ordinary.
When God’s presence and ours meet in the moment, joy naturally overflows. Joy isn’t about perfect circumstances. #Godspresence #moment #joy Share on XJoy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
This past summer, we attended several weddings, and amidst the travel and busy schedules, God gave me a small but unforgettable gift. My grown son and his best friend (who feels like my second son) decided to share a room with us. At first, it seemed strange — two married men traveling with Mom and Dad. But by the end of the trip, the laughter, the late-night conversations, the joy that bubbled up, and taking cover in the rain together makes my heart smile even now.
It was a reminder: even in hard seasons, God’s goodness still surrounds us.
Wherever you are, be all there.” I have lived the runner, panting ahead in worry, pounding back in regrets, terrified to live in the present, because here-time asks me to do the hardest of all: just open wide and receive.
—Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
Invitation—Begin Your Grateful Heart Pause
This November, I’d love to invite you to join me for thirty intentional days of gratitude—to embrace what I call a “Grateful Heart Pause.”
Together we’ll slow down, give thanks, and find joy in God’s presence in the ordinary moments of our lives.
A Gratitude Challenge
Each day on Facebook or Instagram, we’ll share something that brings us gratitude.
To help you begin, I’ve created a new workbook — Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude: The Power of a Pause. It will be available for free during the first week of November and then in our store afterward.
Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude: A Grateful Heart Pause
Discover how pausing with a thankful heart draws you closer to God and fills your days with deeper joy. This 30-day gratitude workbook includes daily prompts, inspiring scriptures and quotes, and space to reflect on God’s goodness.
Free for the first 7 days of November, then available in our store.
Reflections & Prayer Prompt
Lord, slow my heart today.. Teach me to pause long enough to notice the gifts that are present in the moment and to let Your presence envelop me. Amen
When was the last time you stopped for a “Grateful Heart Pause” to notice God’s presence in your everyday life? Did Joy and presence meet? Share on XGrace & Truth Christian Link-Up
Welcome to Grace and Truth: A Weekly Christian Blog Link-Up! Our mission is straightforward: to share Jesus’ message through the power of words. Please make sure to visit at least two other posts and leave an encouraging comment on each article you add ot the Link-up.
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The Most Popular Post in September 2025 | Grace & Truth Link-Up
At Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee, we have a monthly tradition of celebrating the most-clicked post from our Grace & Truth Link-Up. For September, I’m excited to announce that Michele Morin is the winner with a thoughtful post on hope. I love what she said, “Hope in God is a confident expectation, not a cross-your-fingers aspiration.
“Do You Know What Your Heart is Hoping For?” by Michele Morin
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One Skill to Help You Avoid Compassion Burnout
Supporting someone with mental health challenges can quietly lead to exhaustion and resentment. In this practical session, Maree Dee, Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness, teaches how observing personal limits protects your health, strengthens relationships, and sustains long-term compassion. Participants will learn six signs of burnout and a six-step framework for implementing personal limits effectively
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 9–10:30 am Mountain Time | Zoom
I love thinking about the change that comes over us when we make room for gratitude. So often we don’t understand the ways of God, but gratitude opens our hearts to be taught.
So true, Michele, and well said. I personally cherish the impact that gratitude has on me. Blessings to you, my friend. Maree
Thoughtful and insightful post, Maree and Michele. Thanks for sharing. May we all make it a point to pause, remember, and relish in the blessings of God
Amen, so beautifully said. Thank you, Horace. Maree
This is a wonderful reminder to pause and shift our focus! I’m following these words of wisdom today! Thank you, Michele and Maree!
I’m so glad you’re taking a moment to shift your focus. I hope it’s going well. Have a wonderful day recognizing your blessings,
Thanks so much for featuring my post here, Maree!
I’m really happy to have you as part of our community. It is always an honor to feature you.
We miss so many special moments with the Lord in our ‘busyness’ Maree.
Chronic Pain has also given me insight to stop, pay attention & receive the glory of God in so many areas of my life.
I now see this time with it’s need to slow down to experience God’s presence as a gift in strange wrapping.
Blessings, Jennifer
I am always in a hurry, and it takes some effort for me to acknowledge and rejoice in the fact that God is in the habit of doing many things very slowly. When I slow down to realize that, gratitude is a natural response.
Michele,
I truly appreciate your heartfelt words. Thank you so much. It’s true—God often works at a slower pace, and that can be such a blessing. It’s wonderful to hear that taking the time to slow down helps gratitude come more naturally.
Warmly,
Maree
Remembering to take that pause is so important. I often get rolling along in a day or circumstance and forget to occasionally stop to reassess and see the good things all around me. Thanks for this reminder today, Maree. I hope that you’ll find a cure for your pain soon. I’m so sorry that keeps happening.
Hello my dear!
I didn’t know that you struggle with severe excruciating pain from your back and legs.
Is it something that you cannot control ?
Is there any 💉 injections that can help you?
My son, 32 years old has a auto immune disease that attacks his lower back. Finally the doctor correctly diagnosed him for inflammation of the saacro illac joints, sacroiliitis is the name. It’s when the joints connecting the lower part of his sacrum to the pelvic bone is deteriorated.
He takes injections 💉 but unfortunately gives little relief.
May I ask what is causing you so much backpain? And leg pain?
I am taking care of my adult son. He cannot bend down to put his socks on.
He does work all day at his office and to some degree he can manage only when he takes 0.5 milligrams of Clonazapam for his nerves once daily.
I enjoyed this article very much!
Thank you !
I’m so sorry your son struggles. I remember that. I’ve prayed for him in the past and will continue to do so right now.
Yes, I do struggle with my back from time to time. I have a disk problem and, of course, some arthritis in there as I age. I don’t have it all the time. It will hit me and take me down. I’ve done the shots too, which did help, but I haven’t needed one for over a year.
I have found some things that help prevent it: exercising to build up the muscles around my back, core exercises, stretching (which I despise), setting a timer and moving every 1.5 hours when working on my computer, and walking.
On a side note, I also limit my sugar, keeping it below 25 grams, of which most is natural sugar, not added. This may help with inflammation. The sugar cutback was for another reason, but it helps.
Hi Lisa,
I totally understand what you mean about forgetting to pause — I’ve definitely experienced that too! But I’m happy to say that I’m improving at it. It’s truly such a blessing when I remember to pause; it really makes a difference. I’ve started setting a timer as a reminder, and that’s been very helpful.
While I haven’t found a perfect solution yet, I’ve learned a few things that help keep my back pain at bay. The episodes are happening less often, and the last time it flared up, it only lasted two days — which I think is wonderful progress.
Maree