Give Thanks!

Dearly Beloved,

Grace and Peace to you.

Give thanks

Give thanks.

Give thanks for the whole thing,

this whole Milky Way-cradled world,

this sun-held, moon-adored earth,

this land and water throbbing with life,

and all the swarming life therein.

For the breadth of life, for plains and forests,

for herds and flocks and pods and schools,

for colonies and webs of living things—give thanks.

For generations threaded back through centuries,

for all who have borne us to this day,

who have taught or shaped or simply lived,

that we may live—give thanks.

For all our years, grace-blessed, pain-torn,

for all the grieving, dancing, days,

sin-plundered, joy-ribboned days,

for the whole path, wonders and blunders,

for every mystery-shrouded moment—thanks.

For those we love, and who love us,

each failing, irreplaceable and dear,

we give our humble, gracious thanks.

And for that Love that shadows us,

that bears us each through awful times and grand,

that never will abandon or relent,

that Love that speaks our secret name

and gently bids us into this next wondrous day,

this very moment, now—with gratitude, we bless,

and pray that all this day and our lives

may be our heartfelt way of giving thanks.

Deep Blessings,

Pastor Steve