So Thankful

 

Jim declared to me as I was proof-reading this poem to him

that no one has time to read to the end of such a long thing...

My response; I suppose what I write is not for people in a hurry, 

so if you are in a hurry (as we all often are!!)

I hope one or two stanzas of this poem will bless and cheer you

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend!

(I might post some 'happiness moments' later.

Depending how the day goes!

So thankful that in spite of all the trouble living brings 

We have more to live for than this world’s present sufferings 

So thankful that hope is far more than a four-letter word 

It is a death-defying faith in Jesus Christ our Lord 

So thankful for the harvest that is almost gathered in 

For wonder working worship (not magic) beneath our skin 

So thankful Mercy knows how we are formed; that we are dust 

His loving kindness fills the gaps in mankind’s struggling trust 

So thankful to be hemmed in by a cloud of witnesses 

For Author and Perfecter of the faith that we profess 

So thankful to be in the sacred service love bestows 

Where each task serves a greater purpose than appearance shows 

So thankful for the blessings that we wear and taste and touch 

For ears to hear and eyes to see God’s handiwork and such 

So thankful that in spite of all we cannot understand 

The One who does not leave us comfortless is in command 

So thankful that when fear threatens to capsize faith’s frail barge 

No matter what the circumstance God is in perfect charge 

So thankful, like the storm-tossed sea of Galilee without 

The winds and waves within obey when we relinquish doubt 

So thankful for life's simple things (though nothing really is) 

When we consider the well-spring of blessing’s genesis 

So thankful for each season that leaves hearts speechlessly stirred 

At beauty’s myriad arrangements ever undeterred 

So thankful for a little plot to call our home, sweet home 

Where humble prayer covers each cot; so thankful for the poem 

That leaps and swirls, surges and rushes like a waterfall 

Until the poet sets it free in form of madrigal 

So thankful for tea kettles, fuzzy mittens, apple trees 

For leaves, tumbling like tawny kittens on the bonny breeze 

So thankful for love’s hugs and laughter to cheer Adam’s curse 

For God with us in health and sickness, for better or worse 

So thankful for the morning when the old is new and bright 

For mercy’s Living Proof adorning earth and sky with light 

So thankful for gardens and woodlands, ebb and flowing tide 

The undulating panorama of the countryside 

So thankful for so much where ink and time are not enough 

To tell of all the ways we taste the miracle of love 

So thankful for today to fill all it does not disclose 

With praise and praise and praise to God from whom all blessing flows 

© Janet Martin 

The Doxology Anthems of Light

  

Psalm 65

Praise awaits[b] you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave[c] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.[d]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.