This is the home of The Gratefulness Experiment and the author site for Loreli Cockram.
Loreli is an urban missionary, serving with Youth Unlimited (Youth For Christ) in Toronto, Canada, overseeing a city-wide program for pregnant and parenting youth. In her vocation and ministry, Loreli loves drawing out the God-given abilities and gifts in others, building community, and paying attention to God’s hopeful presence and activity in the world.
In November 2022, after a trying season of ministry and grief over her mom’s suffering, and eventual passing, with Lewy Body Dementia, Loreli embarked on a deep dive study and practice of gratitude. She was inspired by the verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
Loreli knew what it meant to give thanks (she thought), but she put those two words, in everything, to the test. Through a commitment to a rigorous gratitude practice, in the midst of difficult circumstances, Loreli discovered a change of perspective, an increased capacity for compassion, and unshakeable joy.
One finding from Loreli’s study and practice was that a gratitude practice is best done in community. Loreli now resources others to live gratefully (and ask the question, what changes when we give thanks?) through small group practices, workshops, and a weekly email newsletter. Find out more here.
You can catch more of Loreli’s story on the following media:
Listen here for Loreli’s interview on the Covey Wellness Centre Podcast: Ways to Practice Gratitude & Cultivate Joy
Watch here for Loreli’s Interview on the 700 Club.
Loreli lives in a high-rise in a multi-ethnic neighbourhood in Etobicoke, Ontario with her husband, John-Mark. John-Mark is a transitional pastor, serving as Interim Lead Pastor at St. Clair Community Church, in Hamilton. They have two wonderful daughters, Mallory & Sophia, and a fabulous son-in-law, Jon, who is married to Sophia.
Loreli is currently writing a book out of the insights she’s gleaned from The Gratefulness Experiment. She shares some of her inspiration here, as well as thoughts about integrating faith in Christ into our everyday lives. She also posts her Elevator Conversations – moments of connection with neighbours in her Toronto high-rise building.
Her intention in her writing is to offer a joyous invitation into deeper knowing – to live into those words, “in everything” – in giving thanks and in walking with the Lord day by day.
I believe that giving thanks is a powerful posture of prayer that opens us up to the immediate realities of God’s goodness.
– Loreli Cockram
Would you be interested in a weekly gratefulness challenge? Sign up for Loreli’s weekly In Everything email to prompt you to live gratefully. Each Monday morning, you’ll receive a quote to inspire, scripture to meditate on, and a question to contemplate.
In Everything 