The Way of Gratitude: 21 Devotions on Goodness, Gratitude, and Wonder

by Hannah Rowen Fry

“May we rest in goodness, gratitude, and wonder all the days of our lives.” Hannah Rowen Fry writes thoughtful reflections on Scripture, inviting you to marvel at God’s character in The Way of Gratitude.

The Way of Gratitude

21 original devotionals based on ScriptureSpace to be curious and to be in awe of the Word of GodPrompts to reflect, pray, and journalBeautiful, minimal design21-day tracking sheetAdditional resources including more devotionals and accompanying music playlist are available on www.hannahrowenfry.comExperience greater joy in the present moment as you learn about gratitude as a lifestyle. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your life through reading Scripture and responding to the Word of God without legalism, judgment, or guilt. Slow down and choose simplicity; rest in God’s goodness.

Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2023

About the author

Hannah Rowen Fry is a writer and speaker passionate about helping people live into their God-purpose. She shares practical tips, helpful resources, and clear purposeful steps to abide in Jesus daily without legalism, judgment, or guilt. Her thoughtful reflections on Scripture invite those who feel overwhelmed to slow down, choose simplicity, and experience greater joy in the present moment. Hannah lives in Florida with her husband Matt and spends most of her free time on the beach, at DisneyWorld, and listening to Taylor Swift. Read more about Hannah and her work at www.hannahrowenfry.com.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gratitude should be a way of life for the Christian and this book offers the opportunity to refocus our attention on it. The layout of the book lends itself to being interactive. There are Bible passages and devotions upon which to meditate. There is plenty of space in which to journal.

The devotion I liked the best was the one most challenging for me. It is based on the Last Supper and reminds us Jesus gave thanks for the meal even though He knew He was sharing it with His betrayer. What an example of giving thanks (gratitude) for all things.

This is a good book encouraging Christians to develop a life of gratitude.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through WOW! Women on Writing. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air. Like, if you’re looking for a To Do List-type devotional, keep looking. Cuz The Way of Gratitude ain’t it. Nor is it a dusty blackboard theory type tome or a dry-as-the-Atacama-Desert theological treatise. There's no relentless drive toward perfection here but rather, a simple, gentle consistency without the exhausting, soul-stifling legalism.

Refreshingly, this devotional isn’t about check lists. Or one of those dry, didactic One Size Fits All type books. While The Way of Gratitude is anchored in a biblical worldview, it provides room for individuality, personality, and growth. Twenty-one bite-sized chapters include a brief Scripture, a place to “write what leads you to wonder, in curiosity and in awe,” and a short commentary. Also space to journal and a question to ponder. And sometimes a prayer.

There’s no pressure here. The idea is to just be still and let gratitude seep into your heart and percolate through your soul.

Chapters include Jesus Feeds the 5,000, Pouting, Pity, Plants (Hi, Mom!), Wheat and Words, When Ingratitude Wins, The Beginning of Nearness, and Alabaster Overflow. How gratitude displaces anger. Also How God calls you wonderful – even in your moments of darkness you cause or experience. (Hi again, Mo... Well. You know.)

Talk about a breath of fresh air. Wow. Just Wow. Practical, down-to-earth, and brimming with an authenticity and elasticity that’ll enlarge even the smallest of Scrooge-ish hearts, The Way of Gratitude is like “Calgon, take me away!” for your soul. Read this and you’ll feel refreshment drip into your heart like a cool cup of water on a hot summer day.

This book is well-crafted, artfully designed, and includes enough empty space for you to think and interact without feeling rushed, harried, or pressured. While helping readers get in the practice of saying “Thak you, God,” it focuses on gratitude as a lifestyle rather than something you check-off your daily To Do List.

As the author explains: “The way of gratitude is a lifestyle which declares, ‘God is bigger than me and my life.’ It reminds us of his greatness in all things, while simultaneously recognizing own value in the world. It elicits worships and humility while also exuding pride for our own growth, perseverance, and choices. It is a posture which always points us back to God, saying, ‘I’m proud of who God made me.’”

This one's a keeper!

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Rowen Fry has written twenty-one devotions in The Way of Gratitude. Fry presents familiar biblical stories and provides scripture to support her thoughts about gratitude. She discusses gratitude and ingratitude and expresses her hopes for her readers to trust God as they pray to live a “lifestyle of gratitude.” Throughout the book, Fry promotes journaling and forgiveness and delivers new and reimagined prayers. Fry doesn’t advocate perfectionism, and she supplies drawings of leaves in her work that they may color after a reader reflects on the devotion and attempts a deeper connection with God.

Hannah Rowen Fry understands her readers and assures them she has been on a similar journey. Fry comforts her readers with her words of encouragement and inspires them to embark on a sojourn of gratitude filled with spiritual healing and acts of sincerity. The author suggests reading scripture, praying, listening to spiritual music, and spending time with God, which will motivate readers to adopt a new perspective of gratitude. Something that stood out to me about this book was the author’s understanding of the market for gratitude journals and the encouragement she gave to her readers to find more. It was a selfless act that made the author’s theme within her work applicable to her life and should move others to follow her example. The Way of Gratitude is a good selection for readers who are ready to read, write, and reflect on their relationship with God and their attitude toward gratitude.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

My Review:

Hannah Rowan Fry has written a very personal and insightful devotional - 21 Devotions on Goodness, Gratitude and Wonder. It is easy to read, well laid out and offers a way to develop a life of gratitude.

I have had a gratitude practice for some time, choosing to write three things I am grateful for each night. I really like the way Ms. Fry has organized this book. Each daily section begins with a biblical passage to read and then the suggestion to "Write what leads you to wonder, in curiosity and in awe."

Following this, there is a discussion of the passage, a chance to look deeper at what has been written in the biblical passage.. These discussions make one ponder and understand what God wants us to know.

She encourages us then to journal (many lines are provided) about gratitude, what it entails and how we can practice it.

She doesn't expect us to be perfect, even suggesting reading 4 devotions a week. She encourages us to spend time with God, finding even simple things to be grateful for.

By the end of the 21 devotions, I found that I was eager to continue with my practice but with more attention to biblical verses as well. I enjoyed reading this devotional and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to start a gratitude practice, has one already or wants to draw closer to God.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, like Hannah Rowan Fry, have always been grateful. I’ve come to practice gratitude more deeply in life in recent years in the good and bad moments in life and I practice daily gratitude. I feel many people aren’t grateful enough. They could learn something from this.

I liked the Scripture at the beginning of each chapter inviting us to “Write what leads you to wonder, in curiosity and in awe”.

The Way of Gratitude: 21 Devotions on Goodness, Gratitude and Wonder is a quick listen/ read and the writing style is easy to follow. The book is calming and made me think and reflect and be happy that I practice gratitude.

If you don’t practice gratitude yet, The Way of Gratitude: 21 Devotions on Goodness, Gratitude and Wonder is a great place to start.

4.5 stars, as the note sections aren’t accessible for me and others with disabilities who use screen readers (the notes pages aren’t recognized by them and they don’t read out what’s on the page). This is a shame as we’re missing out on these parts of the book. It would also be good if the notes pages could work with Voice Control on computers since I use dictation to use a computer.

Overall though, The Way of Gratitude: 21 Devotions on Goodness, Gratitude and Wonder is a very well organized and enjoyable book.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gratitude is really the cornerstone of live when you think about it. Being grateful helps me get out of my own way, my own head, and back into the present reality. Hannah Rowen Fry’s gratitude journal, The Way of Gratitude, combines the feel of a devotional with dedicated space to write, allows me to embed this practice into my daily routine.

I started Fry’s journal this afternoon at my local coffee shop. Today’s devotional asked me to consider what I am grateful for, sharing the story of how Jesus fed the 5,000.

I liked Fry’s reminder that “[your gratitudes] don’t have to be significant or deep. I think my problem is, sometimes I try too hard to find happiness in the bigger moments or things, when I really slow down I simply appreciate and am grateful for things like: the man eating yummy avocado toast next to me that smells delightful and the sun hitting my face reminding me that even after the greyest of days, their is always a glimmer of hope.

I look forward to delving into this journal over the coming days and using it as a touchstone throughout the year to refer to.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful devotional. This is a 21-day devotional. However, you can easily read it at the time that suits you. Hannah does such a wonderful job of pointing out the scripture to read and guiding you into how to apply the meaning in your own life. One day of the devotional encouraged you to praise God in a way that you haven’t before. She shares ideas like raising up your hands in thankfulness or getting on your knees before Him (if you can physically do that, of course!). There are also plenty of room for notes, too.

Wherever you are on your journey with God, I think we all need a reminder about being more grateful. Many days, I struggle with focusing on the blessings in my life. Especially lately. However, being thankful to God in the midst of tough circumstances is so important.