fbpx

Hillary and Amy are back together for this special Thanksgiving podcast about gratefulness, especially in this time of busyness and materialistic pursuits.

Main Points Covered:

  • Purpose of Gratitude:
    • Protective aspect: Romans 1:18-32
      • Ingratitude breeds spiritual decline
      • Gratitude has a spiritually protective aspect
    • Psychological Benefits:
      • Gratitude changes brain chemistry and improves mental health.
      • Philippians 4:8
    • Perspective orientation: Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.
      • Be aware of the impact of social media and video games.
      • Discontentment with reality.
      • Hillary’s word of the year for 2021 was gratitude. She spent the year grasping onto gratitude, even during times of despair.
    • Contentment comes from relying on the strength and nature of God, and the telos of ourselves and our lives
  • Bad times:
    • What’s one thing you’re thankful for today?
      • Can’t always be the food
      • Something new each night
    • When things go wrong it’s important to go back to what we know of God and whose we are
  • Good times:
    • Divine Hiddenness
    • Gratefulness in the simple/common “Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.” A.W. Tozer (The Pursuit of God)
    • “The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.” Louisa May Alcott
    • “Every leaf speaks bliss to me Fluttering from the autumn tree.” Emily Bronté (“Fall, leaves, fall”)
    • Enchantment-focused
      • Enchantment is being able to see God in the simple things, from which gratefulness naturally flows.
    • Projects:
      • Gratefulness pumpkins for each person
      • Let kids help prepare the meal
      • Gratitude comes with perspective
      • Gratitude journal

Resources Mentioned:


Mama Bear Apologetics (book)
Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality

Unfamiliar Vocab:


Problem of Evil
Divine Hiddenness

Scripture Mentioned:


Romans 1:18 – “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally brothers and sisters whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right, pure, lovely admirable if anything is excellent of praiseworthy think about such thing.”

Philippians 4:11-13 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Quotable Quotes:


“Gratitude breeds gratitude which breeds gratitude which breeds contentment.” – Hillary

Questions or ideas? Send us an email at askthemamabears@gmail.com.

Donate to the podcast on our website.