Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Psalm 107:1-3 ESV).

 

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! I must confess that I am writing this on Monday of this week. I typically write ahead so that they can be published on time and consistently each day. As I sit at my computer, I’ve begun my preparations for our holiday. The turkey is brining, though I’ll not put it on the smoker until tomorrow. Yes, Tuesday is going to be our day for a family Thanksgiving dinner. Aaron is coming in for a few days and Kyle, Brandy, Faith and Logan will be here. It will be great fun, I’m sure. Because of scheduling issues Mary and I will be celebrating the actual day of Thanksgiving (today) alone. We’ve done that before as well. I’m sure we will find something to do that will be fit the festive mood of the day.

 

Perhaps you’re busy with all the details of your day though. Let me give you a quick “prayer” for the day. It comes from a wonderful little book, The Valley of Vision, written by various Puritan preachers:

 

O my God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for the royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

 

Have a GREAT Season of Thanksgiving!