As Thanksgiving approaches, members of the Southern Nazarene University community are pausing to reflect on the people and moments that shaped their lives. For many, gratitude is not just a holiday tradition; it is a way of recognizing God’s presence in daily life and the community that holds them together.
Sophomore commercial music production major Jenna Davis shared that her gratitude starts with the relationships closest to her. She explained that she is “most thankful for my family, my boyfriend, and having a place like SNU.” Davis expressed that showing appreciation often looks like just being present. She makes a point to ensure the people in her life “always have someone to go to whenever they need to,” and she tries to serve the university “through the things I’m involved in.” Reflecting on gratitude, she added, is valuable because “It keeps you humble” and helps remind people of “the things we love” and why they deserve recognition through “words or actions.”
For senior sports management major Seth Spruiell, this season reinforces how much community matters. He pointed to the people around him as his greatest blessing, noting that he is most grateful for “family and friends.” The holidays, he explained, are a time “we truly remember how much we rely on our family and friends.” Spruiell also expressed deep appreciation for SNU, calling it an opportunity not just to complete his education and compete in sports, but to belong. He describes the campus as “a community that loves me and gives back to me for all of my hardwork as a student.”
Faculty expressed similar feelings, emphasizing that gratitude appears both in major milestones and in small moments throughout the day. Assistant professor of education Misty Henry described gratitude as something shaped by her current stage of life. She reflected that she is thankful “for the journey of life that God is blessing me with,” especially the season of being “a mother to a toddler,” which she describes as a blessing.
Henry also highlighted her appreciation for the SNU community, adding that “we have the most amazing students at SNU.” She considers supporting her students and celebrating their victories an honor and noted the encouragement she receives from her colleagues and the SNU lab school staff as part of what sustains her.
Her gratitude reaches into everyday life as well. Henry mentions noticing “a beautiful sunset, the sound of children’s laughter, or the sweet taste of coffee this holiday season” as reminders of God’s love. Even brief interactions, she explained, can carry meaning: “The small moments with other people, even just a quick conversation, are meaningful.”
As the holiday season begins, the SNU community is reminded that gratitude grows strongest in the people they walk alongside and the moments that reveal God’s presence in their lives.
Photos provided by: Misty Henry, SNU Creative, and Seth Spruiell