I'M THANKFUL FOR...

 

I'M THANKFUL FOR

I'm thankful for skies of blue

and the morning's sparkling dew

covering blooms that grew

in a rainbow of hues

every morning like bright jewels

making for a pretty view.

I'm thankful for birds that flew

and to hear them sing coo coo

for songs brighten my day anew

giving me a much clearer view

of God's goodness to me and you.

Is it the same for you too?

I'm thankful for rainbows, too,

and the sunset's golden hue

for both are God's jewels

sent to me and you

as promises anew

of God's faithfulness true.

I'm thankful for days rainy and cool

for rain greens the grass to look like new

and fresh vegetables will grow anew

in a rainbow of colors, it's true.

One day they'll make a healthy stew

to keep me safe from the flu.

I'm thankful for cattle that moo

and for animals that live in zoos

where they are cared for by a crew

of working men and women who

enjoy their work each day anew.

You should plan a trip to the zoo.

I'm thankful that everyday is a school

where I always learn something brand new

or perhaps something I once knew

for I tend to forget, it's true.

Is it the same way for you too?

Learning gives us a clearer view.

I'm thankful for garden tools.

Some purchased, some like new

given by friends who knew

I needed a helper to

control how the garden grew.

Tools are helpmates and cool.

I'm thankful everyday, it's true,

but not for insects, they're cruel,

nor for those bucks and does who

visit during the night to

eat my garden's view.

It's like my garden woos.

I'm thankful that when bills come due

I'm able to pay each month anew

for God supplies all my needs, it's true,

and many of my selfish wants, too.

Did you know God's Word says we're His jewel?

I know God is faithful to you too.

I'm thankful for the Creator who

provides and protects me each day anew.

Who proves His love for me, it's true,

by His faithfulness sent from above to

bless me and those I love anew

with His best as we follow God's rules.

I'm thankful for celebration's ado

with Valentines sent from you know who,

Easter baskets filled with surprises new,

Halloween when children say boo to you,

then Thanksgiving when we review,

Christmas - God's gift to me and you.

I'm thankful when it's your birthday too

when a special cake is baked for you

to be shared with those who love you

celebrating you with much ado.

My, how the years flew

while the young ones grew.

I'm thankful everyday there's always something new

to be thankful for. I'm sure you already knew.

Being thankful is a mindset to see what's true

then daily dwell on that truth each day anew

until thankfulness resides in you.

Being thankful will chase away the blues.

I'm thankful for many friends who

were sent by God for He just knew

who I would need when He sent you

and blessed me with the gift of you.

May God always bless you

with peace and joy anew.

* * * * *

And may each and every day you too

find much to be thankful for anew.

Being thankful gives us a new view

refreshing us like cool morning dew

while worries, over which we stew,

weigh us down like sticky glue.

Remember this rule:

Thankfulness rules!

It's a jewel

of many hues -

physically, emotionally, it's true,

mentally and spiritually too.

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Thanks be to God!

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:57

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The Day Before Thanksgiving

 

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

in this blessed country we’re living

our kitchens are a-flutter.

Don’t forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving

there are pies baking in the oven

with cinnamon and allspice.

Doesn’t it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving

the turkey’s still defrosting;

butternut squash is ready for roasting

when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving

there’s day-old bread for cubing

to mix with poultry seasoning,

causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving

celery and onions are sauteing

to be added to the stuffing

or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving

the refrigerator’s stuffed with everything.

In fact, each one’s favorite foods for eating,

as everyone is preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving

the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,

perhaps the tablecloths or linens need pressing –

and there doesn’t seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving

our country is preparing

for a day of feasting

with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving

with thankful hearts we’re intent on giving

a prayer of gratitude overflowing

for much more than the food we’re busy cooking.

We’re thankful for our loved ones,

those near and those far from home,

for those added to the family

and those now in eternity.

We’re thankful for everyone’s health

irregardless of what has been dwelt -

for adversity teaches us to trust,

growing our faith, which is God’s good plan for us.

We’re thankful for freedom to worship

with others in like fellowship,

to pray for one another

and encourage each other...

(The beginning of the month I had shared this portion on another page.  

Now cannot find it from the original manuscript.  Will look in hard copies for conclusion.) 

Salt and pepper shakers inherited.

Memories from childhood.

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Fall Rain

Raindrops

heard plop

on treetops

then leaves drop.

Leaves drop

like raindrops -

plop, plop, plop

then stop...

resting atop

grass and rocks

in my lot

round the clock.

Morning rain stops

though raindrops drop

from the leaves atop

trees wearing lots.

Squirrels come out and hop.

Seen hop, skip, jump, hop.

They play in my lot

while the clock ticktocks.

Up the treetop

they nimbly hop

from limb to limb atop,

then a walnut drops.

Then down the treetop

the squirrel hops

to find where the nut dropped.

Off he goes – hop, hop, hop.

Crows seen when the rain stops.

Their black wings flop as they drop

down from the sky in my lot

for they saw something they sought.

Squirrels scamper then stop

to watch crows in my lot.

Will they share or not?

Crows heard caw and mock.

When raindrops

again drop

squirrels hop

and crows flock.

Raindrops drop,

more leaves drop.

Soon treetops

are bare on top.

* * * * *

Rain is one of the Lord’s many blessings,

so why is it we’re often found grumbling

when rain rains

on our plans.

Our plans, temporary in nature,

while rain benefits all of nature

causing gardeners crops to grow

becoming sustenance below.

We often forget God’s plans

are higher than our plans.

He also sees the bigger picture

which contains a plan to bless us, for sure.

Next time it rains, look up rain in your Bible’s concordance.

You’ll find rain was ordained as a good thing, of importance:

for our sustenance

and our continuance.

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands,

I will send you rain in its season

and the ground will yield its crops

and the trees of the field their fruit.

Your threshing will continue until grape harvest

and the grape harvest will continue until planting,

and you will eat all the food you want

and live in safety in your land.

Leviticus 26:3-5

Let us acknowledge the Lord;

let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth.

Hosea 6:3

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

Be glad, O people of Zion,

rejoice in the Lord your God,

for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.

He sends you abundant showers,

both autumn and spring rains, as before.

The threshing floors will be filled with grain;

the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

Joel 2:23-24

Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,

and as I have purposed, so it will stand.

Isaiah 14:24

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.

Isaiah 55:8-10

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BARE

 

Bare

The deciduous trees are bare,

stripped down to their underwear.

Skeletons they now wear

seen under the moonlight's glare.

Yesterday the trees did wear

a covering of leaves shared.

Last night a heavy frost, like white hair,

settled on those leaves unaware.

Today these golden leaves float down midair;

steadily they gather on the grass there.

Whereas yesterday they floated solitaire,

one by one their cycle of life declared.

To watch these leaves trickle down in the open air

its peaceful, while inside sitting in an easy chair.

Soon, though, work awaits there

as gardeners are not spared.

A leaf rake and a set of elbows prepare

to distribute those leaves scattered in a pile there.

Leaves for composting as gardeners show they care

for the environment by recycling leaves snared.

Each year gardener's find there's more leaves to ensnare

as each year the trees produce more leaves to share.

Each year raking is an annual affair.

Each year gardener's find there's more wear and tear.

For elbows kink, I declare,

you huff and puff hot air,

your nose drips off and on in the fresh air,

and there's more raking tomorrow – so beware.

All winter long these leafless tree skeletons bare

will stare through the window wearing their underwear

while the gardener enjoys warm gingerbread baked with pears

in front of the fireplace toasting their tootsies bare.

* * * * *

It's said if the trees are especially heavy-laden with leaves

then the winter will be exceptionally cold – like below-zero degrees.

It's said if oak trees are heavy with acorns

then the coming winter will be colder than norm.

This is one of God's ways He provides for His creatures.

These creatures that scamper all year with tails of fur

collecting nuts to hide for the coming winter.

These creatures which wisely prepare all summer.

Take time to watch the squirrels today

for God's creatures teach us each day

to save or prepare for the future.

Saving pays dividends, for sure.

Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer

and gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

The borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

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