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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thanksgiving


Some days, there’s nothing in your head but a song.
An old hymn called “Farther Along” is on my mind today. You’ll hear Johnny Cash singing part of it if you click this link.
Its refrain goes like this:

Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

And the rest of it goes like this:

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.

Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,
Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,
When there are many living in comfort,
Giving no heed to all I can do.

“Faithful till death,” said our loving Master;
Short is our time to labor and wait;
Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,
When we shall pass the heavenly gate.

I’m not going to think on the sadness in my life today. Yesterday was a day of mourning. Today is a day of thanksgiving for the moments of goodness.

I give thanks for yellow iris. I give thanks for those in Haiti working for the good of the suffering. I give thanks for laughter, which feels like healing. I give thanks for blue skies and puffy white clouds, for green hills and purple wildflowers.

What do you give thanks for today?
~~~~~

17 comments:

One Prayer Girl said...

I give thanks for your blog.
I give thanks for the better place you find yourself in today.
I give thanks for the beautiful picture that graces the beginning of this blog.
I give thanks that God has His loving arms around your mom and you no matter what the circumstances look like.
I give thanks for this day.
PG

Brian Miller said...

i am thankful for a new day, for food grown out of the soil, for flowers adding color to the horizon, for hugs and freckles.

Matty said...

I admire you for your courage, and the ability you have to see the silver lining. Hugs to you.

Monkey Man said...

I give thanks for gratitude lists keeping me sane.

Syd said...

The Blue Angels roaring over head and giving a show to all of us today. Wow is all I can say.

Unknown said...

Carolina blue skies, a walk with the dog in a new park, and friends near and far!

♥namaste♥

Nikki (Sarah) said...

love this...and the picture makes me feel peaceful. I give thanks for life...mine and those around me...for eyes to see....and the sense of smell, touch, sound....I'm so grateful to be alive. Stay strong Chris.

Karen said...

I give thanks for my family and friends. I give thanks for faith that keeps me strong or props me up when I'm not. I give thanks for the many undeserved graces I've been given.

Woman in a Window said...

My children who forgive me anything as long as I love them hard. I do.

Glad you're in the light today.

xo
erin

Unknown said...

My gratitude would include...YOU, YOUR BLOG, My Dogs, other bloggers, my higher power, my sponsor, loved ones who still love me in spite of myself, Johnny Cash, my step children, so much more...
Chris good to hear you and know you're laughing...love you!
Gabi

Susan said...

I give thanks for your email to me and sharing the struggle!
I give thanks for beautiful weather.
I give thanks for another day.
I give thanks for growth and change and hope.


And I love that song! Emmy Lou and Dolly and Linda sang it sweet on their album Trio many years ago.

You are an inspiration. Thanks for your blog.

the walking man said...

Thankful? hmmmm My old lady made the coffee this morning, I thanked her for that.

Magpie said...

I'm thankful for friendships new and old. I'm thankful I found your blog. I'm thankful that God loves us and tends to our needs.

Anonymous said...

Really nice. We do have to accept that things happen for a reason and that we may not really understand it for some time yet. Just gotta have faith and trust. Have a good one!

Scott M. Frey said...

I am so grateful I am sober today, that I can pray for myself and others, that I can be supportive and loving for people who need love and support. I am grateful for musicians like Johnny Cash and for friends like you :-)

God Bless!

Marla said...

I am thankful for hope.

RNSANE said...

I am thankful that I woke up to see another day.

I am thankful that, instead of going to Afghanistan for a year, Shawn is being deployed to Germany for four months.

I am thankful Alex is marrying a wonderful girl in three weeks.

I am thankful I am so many dear friends, old and new, who add to my life.