All I Hoped For by an unknown Confederate soldier I asked God for strength, that I might achieve: I was made weak that I might obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things: I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy: I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men: I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life: I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for, but all I had hoped for. My prayer was answered, I am most richly blessed. Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson In the other gardens And all up the vale, From the autumn bonfires See the smoke trail! Pleasant summer over And all the summer flowers, The red fire blazes, The gray smoke towers. Sing a song of seasons! Something bright in all! Flowers in the summer, Fires in the fall! Count Your Blessings author unknown Today, upon the bus I saw a lovely girl with golden hair, I envied her, she seemed so gay, and I wished I were so fair, When suddenly she rose to leave, and I saw her hobble down the aisle, She had one leg, and wore a crutch, and as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine... I have two legs. The world is mine. And then I stopped to buy some sweets, The lad who sold them had such charm, I talk to him: he seemed so glad... if I were late 'twould do no harm, And as I left he said to me :"Thank you. You have been so kind. It's nice to talk to folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind". Oh God, forgive me when I whine... I have two eyes. The world is mine. Later, walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do. I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine... I have two ears. The world is mine. With legs to take me where I'd go, With eyes to see the sunset glow, Two ears to hear what I would know... Oh God, forgive me when I whine... I'm blessed indeed. The world is mine. Daily Thanksgiving author unknown Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, Thank You, Lord, that I can hear. There are those who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, Thank You, Lord , that I can see. There are many who are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising, Thank You, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedfast. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, Thank You Lord for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, Thank You, Lord, for the food we have, There are so many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day, and wish my circumstances were not quite so modest, Thank You, Lord, for the gift of life. For The Beauty Of The Earth by Folliott S. Pierpont, 1864 For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies; For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour, Of the day and of the night; Hill and vale and tree and flow'r, Sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind's delight; For the mystic harmony, Linking sense to sound and sight; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child; Friends on Earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For Thy church that evermore, Lifteth holy hands above; Off'ring up on ev'ry shore, Her pure sacrifice of love; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. Amen. Table Grace author unknown We deeply offer our thanks To the Deepest of Thankables And our abiding love To the Most Abiding of Lovables As we gather here In grace under grandness Humbly to eat of the earth So that ripplings of renewal May nurture and empower our Sweetly imperative lives. May the sustenance we now Receive within ourselves Enable us to give out More than we possess As our lungs and souls Breathe more than is air On our chosen journey Into more than we know. We honor the One within us While dwelling within the One. Amen. Thank God For Little Things author unknown Thank You, God, for little things that often come our way-- The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray-- The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed-- A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need-- Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces That come to us with "sweet surprise" from never-dreamed-of places. Thanksgiving author unknown The year has turned its circle, The seasons come and go. The harvest all is gathered in And chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, The fields, their yellow grain, So open wide the doorway Thanksgiving comes again! Thank You by Gordon Raistrick Through my Christian life on earth There is one that hugs my girth. The ever lasting arms that in circle Allotment of grace, such a miracle. Gift from the Father is the son Combined with spirit to be one. Thank you Lord for your love Freely given from the Father Above. Thank you Lord for your kindness Always forgiving my blindness. Thank you Lord, for you bless Even when I make a mess. From your hand no one can snatch You love all without a catch. Even in my deepest darkest hour I can trust in your power. Thank you Lord for being there Especially when I am unaware Copyright 1997-2000 Gordon Raistrick Thanks by Phillip Lopez With humble grace and lowered eyes do I give my thanks to thee, for the wondrous gift of eternal life, and for rescuing me. Though I do not know why my life was so significant to save, you came down on earthen ground and boldly defied the grave. Through that act you proved your worth, your meaning to such as me, and now I sit and thank you Lord for providing all I see. From my childhood days of joyful bliss when I was so unaware, to the trials long and sometimes hard that mortal man would tear. I found your peace, your love secure, time and time again, you met me there, gave me hope and repeatedly forgave my sin. I would cry to you "Oh Lord my God" for your grace and power, and you would meet me there, with your small still voice, right in that very hour. How do I thank you Lord for your grace, your amazing capacity for love? How do I fathom all you've done for me, on earth, from up above? Oh Lord my God my heart aches now as I speak to you these words, what joy it brings to my soul to know that with you I have worth. This world seems cruel compared to you and your shining grace, I thank you Lord for all you do and for revealing your face. Humbly Lord I now bow down before your eternal throne, remembering all you've done, and all that you have shown. Proving your grace your love your power for me to be redeemed, being there in those fearful times when death was near, it seemed. Oh Lord my God how can I thank you for all you've done for me? what way can a man bear his soul for his one true God to see? You know my heart you know my pains you know my very being, my Father my Lord I pray to you now, I thank you oh my King. Lord take my heart from my very chest and do with it as you will, for I'd rather live according to you than with this worldly-mill. I thank you Father for all this now, and pray with you I stay, I humbly thank you oh my Lord on this Thanksgiving day. You are the reason... You provide all... Amen. Untitled by Asad Husain The guests are coming! Vacuum, dusting, mopping, so the house is perfect. The turkey cooking marinated with spices, leaving a heavy aroma. The snow tumbles as the bird is roasted and kids build snow forts outside. Cranberry and corn bread are in the delicious Thanksgiving dinner. No school! Vacation! The thrill in which the four days off pass too quickly. We thank You, Lord, for blessings You give us on our way; May we for these be grateful, And praise You every day. He is rich who is satisfied with what he has. We Thank Thee by Ralph Waldo Emerson For flowers that bloom about our feet; For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet; for song of bird, and hum of bee; For all Things fair we hear or see, Father in Heaven, we thank Thee! Untitled Shorts We can give thanks in everything And say, "Your will be done," For God's at work in everything To make us like His Son. Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat, Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you, God, for everything. ~E. Rutter Leatham~ God is Great..... God is Good Let us Thank Him for our food. By His hands we are fed, He gives to us our daily bread. Amen Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, And may our meal by you be blest. ~Martin Luther (1483 - 1546)~ To God who gives our daily bread A thankful song we raise, And pray that he who sends us food May fill our hearts with praise. ~Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)~