Thursday, November 26, 2015

In Thanksgiving – v5

In thanksgiving, we pause, we slow ourselves
we gather together, family and friends,
to reflect, to remember, to share
memories rich with our collective past,
our shared times together,
washing over us, thinking of our blessings,
at harvest, in thanksgiving to our God.

We are thankful to God for our provision,
for our daily bread, for His provision day by day, for our health,
our family, our friends, for our nation,
for this world, troubled as it is, especially today,
There is so much for which to be thankful, so many gifts
given by our Creator, our Savior, by the Spirit,
our Sustainer, our living eternal God.

Like the first Thanksgiving, when they gathered together
around a table of your bounty, the gifts of the earth
grain and drink, meat and game, a harvest,
thankful to God that they were alive; in this new world
Bowing our heads, our hearts as one, joining
in prayer, for the gifts we share, for this day,
for the manifold gifts of God.

We remember too, those who paid the price for freedom
for those who are not home with loved ones, for those on guard,
thankful for their service, for their sacrifice
those who stand in harm’s way on our behalf;
thankful too for those on guard, for all who serve us
whether in foreign fields or in fire houses
and police stations just down the street.

We are thankful for You oh God, our Creator, our Savior,
for Your presence and for Your love
for Your grounding and for Your grace;
We give You thanks;
For all we are and all we have
for all of these are gifts from You
We humbly pause, and give You thanks and praise.

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edited November 26, 2015
In Thanksgiving – v5
(editing version 4)                              
Thanksgiving Day
edited June 2, 2015
In Thanksgiving – v4
(editing original)
edited November 27, 2014
In Thanksgiving – v3
(editing original again)
Thanksgiving Day
edited June 28, 2014
In Thanksgiving – v2
November 27, 2008
In Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,220+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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