Gratitude in Recovery

One of UGM’s core values is Thankfulness, and this month we reflect on the pursuit of gratitude in our day-to-day lives and in the work of healing that takes place here. Tracie Nunez, UGM Women & Children’s Shelter Director, spoke this month at our UGM Connect in Spokane. She shared that at our organization, we provide not just emergency shelter for men and women in need but also a path for long-term healing through our Life Recovery program. Our goal is to help people survive and thrive by finding lasting transformation and purpose. A key part of that transformation is the power of gratitude.

The Significance of Gratitude

Gratitude keeps our perspective grounded and gives us the grace and levity we need when experiencing significant changes in life. It’s more than just saying “thank you”—it’s about developing a heart of thankfulness in the midst of struggle. We believe the Holy Spirit works through us to develop grace and gratitude in our lives.

She reflected on her own past hardships, saying, “It felt like everything was happening to us, and one night I got a call.” She explains how the loss of her sister forced her to slow down and rethink her perspective on life. “I felt so much entitlement—like life was supposed to be easy. Sometimes stuff happens, and it doesn’t seem fair.” She recognized that this sense of entitlement had become a part of her life, but through the healing process, she learned that gratitude was the way forward.

“I felt so much entitlement—like life was supposed to be easy. Sometimes stuff happens, and it doesn’t seem fair.”

From Victimhood to Empowerment

Tracie describes gratitude as an antidote to victimhood. Many of our residents have experienced trauma and hardship, and victimhood can become a coping mechanism. “Sometimes we argue with God and ask, ‘Where is the justice in that?’” But through the curriculum and counseling in our Life Recovery program, we encourage a perspective that we can choose to do something different. Gratitude offers the strength to change our mindset and move forward in healing.

“In grieving my loss, I slowed way down. Nothing else mattered. I began to see the details of the sunshine, nature’s beauty, my child’s smile, and hearing them giggle. I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to honor God every day with gratefulness and love.” Tracie explained.

The Garden

The longing for a “perfect garden” is a universal human desire, one that was evident when Adam and Eve fell into the trap of entitlement. They believed the lie that they could do whatever they wanted, which led to their downfall. But as Jesus demonstrated the night before He was betrayed, giving thanks through His fear and pain, gratitude is powerful even in the hardest times.

“Without gratitude, life is just endless working with no real meaning or results behind it. With gratitude, you sense how far you’ve come and where you can go next.” - Tracie Nunez

“Without gratitude, life is just endless working with no real meaning or results behind it.”

Gratitude in Action

Gratitude is also what motivates us to give—whether through our time, talents, or resources. It is through our gratitude that we serve others, knowing that all we have is a gift from God. The act of giving results in thanksgiving to God.

Miranda Newell, Life Recovery alumna and UGM Next Steps Manager, talks about why she chose to return to UGM in this position, “When my dad died, I felt like my anchor to the world was gone…I felt so lost. But the UGM staff and the sisters in the program became my family…I want to give back as much as I can.”

Living with Gratitude

In our program, we encourage residents to live with gratitude every day, not just in words but in actions. We remind each other to be thankful for the simple things: the beauty of nature, the joy of a smile, or the warmth of a meal shared with loved ones.

As Miranda shared, “It doesn’t just stop when you graduate. You have a family for life.” Gratitude, once cultivated, stays with you and becomes a lifelong practice. Through gratitude, we can experience true healing, find purpose, and live a life of service to others.

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11

Give the Gift of Hope this Season

This Thanksgiving, over 600 homeless men, women, and children will arrive at our doors hungry and in need. They depend on us for food, shelter, and hope—just as we depend on your generosity. For just $2.34, you can provide a hot meal and help fund life-changing services like counseling, job training, and recovery programs. Your gift will ensure over 50,000 meals and 26,550 nights of safe shelter this holiday season. Make a donation today and show our neighbors in need they are part of the Union Gospel Mission family by visiting https://www.uniongospelmission.org/give.