Thanksgiving Poem

Thanksgiving
Ann Dunlap, May 23, 2004

“Though the fig tree should not blossom

and there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

and the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

and there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yes I will exult in the Lord,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,

and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19

Not for what You give me, Lord,
Nor what I now may own;
Not for daily circumstance,
Nor blessings yet unknown.
Just for who You are to Me:
Redeemer, Savior, Friend,
May humble thanks flow from my heart ~
And to Your throne ascend.

Thanksgiving

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us once again. Usually on Thanksgiving weekend, we're busy decorating the house. But this year we're in the middle of an ongoing kitchen remodel, that's been thwarted again and again by back injury, mis-measured countertops and various other unforeseens. So since I'm not in the middle of getting ready to decorate, I'm focusing more on what there is to be thankful for. I've decided that as a family we need to look outside of ourselves this holiday, and show our thankfulness to others. So we're going to bake cookies, and go to the local police and fire departments to share cookies and thankfulness with those that put their lives on the line for our safety every day. I hope it will teach Elizabeth to have a thankful respect for those that are so selfless.
So much is going on. A good friend recently passed away. A good friend, my first Christian friend actually, is getting a divorce. Our old church is building a new building. My mom is having chronic little health problems. And we have a new granddaughter! Those things all remind me to be thankful for our health, my marriage, my new church, and my family. God continues to bless my life, even when I'm so undeserving and unfaithful. And so this Thanksgiving, I pray that I will be even more mindful of His tender care of me, and for the love that He so richly lavishes on my day by day.
And I'm thankful, of course, for all those that are part of my life every day. Thanksgiving blessings!

Ann