When Gratitude Meets Hope: A November Reflection
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." – Romans 15:13
💌 Author Note for November Newsletter
Dear friends,
As the days grow shorter and Thanksgiving draws near, I’ve been reminded how gratitude and hope often meet in life’s hardest places. This month’s reflection, When Gratitude Meets Hope, shares a glimpse of what God is teaching me in this season, how His grace keeps writing light into every story.
I’d love for you to join me there and take a few moments to reflect, remember, and give thanks. 💛
November always seems to speak gratitude into my heart. The air turns crisp, the leaves fade into gold (once the South Dakota wind blows them to the ground), and I’m reminded that even after the long seasons of waiting or loss, God still fills our days with quiet gifts of grace. This season, as I prepare for the release of my children's book, And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope, I’ve been reflecting on how thanksgiving and hope often meet right in the middle of our hardest stories. Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it does make room for joy, and that’s where hope begins to rise again.
🕊️ Big News! Book & Journal Update
Hello, friends! I don’t yet have an official release date for my picture book, but I’m so excited to see it getting closer to being out in the world!
For those new here:
And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope is a picture book for children, ages 4–10, who have lost a parent or loved one—or for adults still healing from the loss they experienced as a child. I was that child, and at times, I am that adult.
I’m also creating a companion Hope Activity Journal titled Sunlight for the Soul: A Hope Journal for Kids Walking Through Sadness. It’s a gentle, faith-based resource designed to help children move from grief to hope, connecting their feelings to God’s promises.
The journal includes:
A short story about moving from grief to hope
A Scripture message and memory verse
Reflection or journaling prompts
Drawing and coloring pages
An Affirmation of Hope
A “Talk About It” box for parents or mentors
It’s also perfect for use in children’s ministry, Christian counseling, or family devotion time to help kids discover that even when grief lingers, hope lightens the load through Jesus Christ.
Can you tell I’m excited? 💛
🎬 Reading & Movies
Tomorrow night, my husband and I are going to see Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring in theaters! I bought the book a month ago and couldn’t decide whether to read it first or watch the movie, but the movie wins this time due to time constraints on reading.
The cast includes Jana Kramer, Ben Hollingsworth, and Kelsey Grammer, and knowing Karen Kingsbury’s storytelling, I’ll definitely be bringing tissues! 📚 See more about the movie here and the book here.
📖 Picture Book Friends
While writing my own upcoming picture book, I was blessed to work alongside other wonderful authors. I’d love to highlight two of their beautiful new releases:
🌙 Lola’s Night Under the Stars — by Amy Collette
Lola has never spent the night outdoors--but that's about to change. Armed with courage, curiosity, and a slightly tangled tent, she sets off into the forest for her first solo camping trip. But when things don't go as planned, she'll need more than supplies to find her way. With the help of some new furry friends, a glowing campfire, and a star-filled sky, Lola discovers that being small doesn't mean you don't belong.
Perfect for young adventurers, Lola's Night Under the Stars is a heartwarming tale about bravery, friendship, and finding your place under the stars. Includes fun constellations facts and first time camping tips for little explorers.
Available on Amazon.
🐌 Beautiful Things Take Time — by Colette Waters
Daisy the snail is in a hurry to grow, to bloom, to catch up. But as her world rushes by, she struggles to understand why she feels so slow. With gentle guidance from her parents, Daisy learns that some of the most beautiful things in life--like self acceptance, hope, and new beginnings--take time.
Set in a cozy woodland world filled with heartwarming details, Beautiful Things Take Time tenderly explores themes of feeling left behind, loss, waiting, and the arrival of a long-hoped-for sibling.
With its comforting message and hidden yellow flower on every page, this story will resonate with all families learning to embrace life's journey, and will offer reassurance to those who had to wait to grow their families.
A moving tale of patience, faith, and love-perfect for growing hearts and hopeful homes. Available on Amazon.
Both stories are beautifully written and illustrated! If you read either one, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, or other book sites. It means so much to the authors!
✍️ Poem Feature: “There Is Strength in Your Story” by Tanner Olson
(Shared with permission.)
there is strength in your story
I used to think pain was a thief—
stealing the good years,
writing endings in ink
before I could even pick up the pen.
But now I see
pain was a teacher.
It showed me how deep my lungs can fill,
how to dance with a limp,
how to sing in the middle of the storm,
trusting that this, too, will pass.
And you—
You’ve gotten through more than you thought you’d get through.
You’ve walked roads you never asked to take.
Carried wounds still learning how to heal.
Endured uncertainty while facing the unknown.
Still—
here you are.
By grace, your story keeps unfolding.
Day after day.
Line after line.
The ink still spills and dries.
And it all matters.
None of this is for nothing.
What we survive becomes part of who we are.
It shapes us in ways comfort never could.
Heartbreak made space for compassion.
Loss carved a deeper well for love.
Disappointment revealed resilience.
The struggle taught us—
strength is not in the shouting,
it’s in the showing up,
Gently and honestly with hope.
Every scar, a line on the map that brought you here.
Every tear, watering seeds not yet seen.
Every prayer, heard and held.
Every “not yet” and “not now”
was shaping the hands you now hold out to others.
So keep walking.
You’re not forgotten—
you’re beloved.
And if you listen closely,
you might hear it:
the quiet anthem of your own becoming.
There is strength in your story.
Go on, spread hope and scatter joy.
Love and be loved.
It all matters.
💛 Gratitude & Thanksgiving
Thank you for sticking with me as readers, prayer partners, and friends. Even if we’ve never met in person, your encouragement means the world.
Please keep my upcoming book, And the Sun Came Up, and the hope journal, Sunlight for the Soul, in your prayers as they make their way into the world. My heart's desire is to bring hope, faith, and healing to children and families walking through grief.
🦃 A Thanksgiving Reflection
As we gather around our tables this month, may we look not only at what’s in front of us, but at Who sits beside us in spirit. Gratitude grows when we remember how far God has carried us through life.
Whether your season feels heavy or light, may you see His fingerprints in the simple moments: laughter, a prayer whispered, a sunrise breaking through the clouds.
This Thanksgiving, I pray that joy, peace, and the steady hope of Jesus fill your heart and home.
🌅 Freebie
If you’d like to follow along as my picture book and journal move toward release:
👉 Sign up for my email newsletter at https://marygracejohnsonauthor.com where you can download the free “Seven Affirmations of Hope."
You’ll also be the first ones invited to join the launch team, receive notification of the official launch date, see special sneak peeks, and access printable resources to help families grow in hope and faith.
