My God, I Thank Thee

November has been full. The every-day challenges were surrounded by special days spent with family and friends.

I hosted a group of fourteen writerly friends for a delightful day of sharing words and books.

Our annual family hog-butchering day.

A day trip to DC with the high schoolers in our homeschool group to visit the Museum of the Bible. The collections and multi-media displays were fascinating and informative.

Eating lunch on the top floor within sight of many of the famous landmarks of DC.

Making Christmas cookies on Thanksgiving Day.

We wanted to have an authentic early American Thanksgiving meal, but the hunting was unsuccessful. We had to pull out some wild game harvested on previous weeks to enjoy a meal of venison, squirrel pie, and cornbread.

Of course, the joy of every fun experience and special day is dimmed by the inability to share them with Ed.

On Wednesday evening at church we sang "My God, I Thank Thee." This hymn put into words my thoughts this month, though I admit that often my heart fights against these words. It is one of those songs that is hard to sing honestly. I'd like to stay on the first and second verse, and not go on to verse three.

My God, I Thank Thee

by Adelaide A. Proctor

Hymns of the Church #683

My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of splendor and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.

I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound;
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.

I thank Thee more that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.

I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept
The best in store;
We have enough, yet not too much
To long for more:
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.

I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls
Though amply blessed,
Can never find, although they seek
A perfect rest;
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus’ breast.

Thanksgiving two years ago.