On Living Gratefully

Today I want to talk about something that’s been on my heart lately: gratitude. Not the kind that’s just a polite “thank you” when someone passes the salt, but the deep, soul-filling kind. The kind that stops you mid-step on a doubtful day and makes you say, “God, I’m thankful just to be here.”

Life isn’t always easy. We have busy schedules, unexpected struggles, and seasons where we feel more empty than full. But here’s what I’ve learned—when we choose to focus on what we do have, even when it’s small, our perspective shifts. We become lighter. Brighter. And more open to joy.

Last week, my husband and I attended our orientation as new home owners of a Condominium. As the staff read the rules and regulations my heart sank in desperation. I never thought we would have so many “Do’s and Don'ts” in owning our first property. And the costs of living there? God, can I handle it?

But the discouragement I felt during the orientation became nothing when I saw the unit and was there for a while. I love it there, the ambience, the quiet, the feel of the house I can now call my own.

Though I knew we would not be able to live there as the way we envisioned it to be, not me and my youngest son who study and work in our current location which is two hours away from the condo.

If we insist, we would only get tired, burn out or worse, get sick. I can’t afford any of these because I need to sustain everything with my job.

But then again, I felt grateful for having that unit that I once thought I will never have. God gave us that condominium for a reason, I may not have that otherwise or be in another property. His grace led us there. He provided me and helped me all throughout the process of getting it.

I don’t know what His plan is but I trust it is for our own good.

I’ve found that when I take time to thank God—even for the small things—I stop focusing on what’s missing and start seeing the blessings I’ve already been given. It changes everything.

That’s why I’m so excited to share something close to my heart: the “Grateful” Rose and Butterfly Design T-Shirt. It’s a daily reminder to stay rooted in gratitude. The soft pale pink rosebud and delicate blue butterfly represent beauty, transformation, and grace—everything I pray to live out. And the golden typography of the word “grateful”? A shining statement of the life I want to lead.

Whether you wear it to church, give it as a gift, or pair it with jeans and a smile, this shirt is for anyone who wants to live with open hands and a grateful heart.

Ready to wear your gratitude?

Available in the following stores:

Teepublic:http://bit.ly/4nlJlWA

Redbubble: http://bit.ly/3ZMT4LA

Zazzle: http://bit.ly/4elBsfL

… and carry a little beauty, faith, and thankfulness with you wherever you go.



With love and a thankful heart,

Jen 💛

"Faith It Till You Make It" Puns Pattern Typography Design T-Shirt

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrew 11:1.

 Without faith, it is impossible for me to get this far. There are three stories in my life that I can testify about this:

1. Losing the job of my husband just when we transferred in Makati City.

When we first moved in Makati from the province, it is the faith that keep me going especially when after a few months, my husband had been terminated in his job because of drug addiction. 

I remembered praying, "Lord give us until the end of the school year to survive so that we can go back to the province." That six remaining months that I'd been asking for turned out to be 8 years and counting. His provisions sustained us all these years. 

2. Losing the job that sustains us for the first two years. 

I had to leave before I got terminated because I can't reach my metrics. I thought I can rely on the job of my husband back then, trucking in Montalban, but I was wrong. He's still into drugs and he damaged the truck he was servicing. 

I was confused and wanted to accept every kind of menials job I can put my hand into - tindera, labandera, etc. just so I can finance my kids. I had no money to buy them uniforms and school supplies. I was sick also because of stress, I was high blood.  

But I did not lose hope. I trust the Lord and He provided me the job that I still have even now. 

3. Buying my first property.

I was able to buy my first condominium but my salary is not sufficient to get one within Metro Manila. I got one in Imus though at around 1.7 M through Pag-ibig financing. Now, it is once again a dilemma as to how we can live there when my kids are studying here in Pateros and I am working in Taguig City. 

When I look back, I've gone through a lot of dilemmas that I successfully been through. I know that this present one will be easier because I have faith. 

We, who are in different kinds of difficulties in life can "FAITH IT UNTILL WE MAKE IT" hence this t-shirt design I made just for us. Snag it HERE. 

Faith can move mountains. 

Faith can be an antidote for fear. 

Faith can keep us going.

Faith can make the impossible, possible. 

So wear your faith all the time.