Devotional 11-24-11

As I pondered on what to write for a Thanksgiving devotional, I came across this beautiful prayer by Ralph Waldo Emerson. This prayer of Thanks is so welcoming because of all the negative press we have been hearing about regarding unemployment, stock market crashes, Wall Street protestors throughout the world, bankruptcy for both the United States and Europe, selfishness and greed by us, as we well as our Government officials, or violence if one does not get his/her way.

Some of us have forgotten about GOD and the beauty around us, which He gave to everyone through HIS goodness and grace. For this reason, this prayer spoke to me and hopefully will speak to you as well. Let us give thanks to God and concentrate on the goodness of one’s faith.

WE THANK THEE

For flowers that bloom about our feet Father,
we thank Thee.
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet Father,
we thank Thee.
For the song of bird and hum of bee
For all things fair we hear or see
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky
Father, we thank Thee.
For pleasant shade of branches high,
Father, we thank Thee.
For fragrant air and cooling breeze
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light.
Father, we thank Thee
For rest and shoulder of the night
Father, we Thank Thee
For health and food, for love and friends
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gisela E. Kemper