Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
Hope is sweet-minded and sweet-eyed. It draws pictures; it weaves fancies; it fills the future with delight.
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was an American pastor and abolitionist.
Morning rendezvous
Meeting best friends for coffee—
Grace fills every cup
Daily morning breath
Coffee, you always do it—
Another cup please
Morning’s fresh muffin
Tasting sweeter with coffee—
Way over the top!
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Thanksgiving is a time of quiet reflection . . . an annual reminder that God has, again, been ever so faithful. The solid and simple things of life are brought into clear focus.”
National tradition
Year’s intentional pause
Coming together as one
With purposeful cause
Nation’s heart now gathers
Thanksgiving welcomes all
Putting aside differences
Mercy’s blessed call
Family’s homeward steps
Cherished goodness brightens
Strengthening tomorrow’s bonds
Grace shall enlighten
Love fills another home
Peace refreshes outlook
Praying with one single voice
Heaven’s warm chinook
Harmony writes new psalm
Tranquility’s fellowship
Sharing gratitude today
Praise from every lip
From Revelation 7:12: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Faith’s
Divine garden
Seeded without weeds
Nourished with Living Water
Maturity
Hope’s
Fertile soil
Cultivated with grace
Sunrise offers endless bounty
Harvest
Joy’s
Fruitful journey
Sustained with love
Sown with trusted hands
Gratitude
From John 15:10-11: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Rejoicing with Father
Peace quiets every storm
Joy’s spirit transforms heart
Nurturing, always warm
Learning from Father’s Word
Faith nourished, always trust
Joy sails on eagle’s wings
Bringing light, always just
Receiving Father’s grace
Precious gift of each day
Joy cascades from His love
Rising sun, never gray
Walking in Father’s steps
Hope breathes with every stride
Joy’s anticipation
Filling outlook with pride
Kneeling at Father’s feet
Gratitude sweeps ashore
Joy flowing with gladness
Entering Heaven’s door
From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”
From Psalm 16:1-2: “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”
Facing uncertainty
More questions than actions
Reaching out to Father
Love’s trusted interactions
Harboring inner doubts
Weakened by rising tides
Praying now to Father
Mercy brings answers to guide
Choosing to always trust
Assurance speaks to heart
Listening to Father
Grace nourishing faith’s fresh start
Tasting heavenly joy
Life’s outlook now renewed
Receiving from Father
Page turned, filled with gratitude
Rejoicing in hope’s light
Righteous path before thee
Conversing with Father
His peace calms as darkness flees
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Books are like imprisoned souls till someone takes them down from a shelf and frees them.
Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.
Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was an English novelist.
From Genesis 1:1-3: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
Early morning giants
Creator in its midst
Forest landscape stirring
His breath offers assist
Glorious sky blossoms
Creator brightens light
Sunrise worships with praise
Night’s glory taking flight
Vision of what He wants
Creator wakens rain
Parched wilderness transformed
Gratitude fills each vein
Salvation always near
Creator sharing grace
Gentle waters flowing
Life reborn in this place
Heavenly eyes look down
Creator turns new page
Everlasting joy sings
Nature’s gifts come of age
From Genesis 2:1-3: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God finished the work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all the work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that He had done in creation.
No matter what accomplishments you achieve, somebody helped you.
Althea Gibson was born in Clarendon County, South Carolina. In 1956, she became the first black athlete to win a Grand Slam tennis championship, and she captured a total of five during her career.
Mutual respect is so important because as soon as it disappears in relations between you and the next person, there’s trouble.
Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. His jazz music featured his highly accomplished skills as a trumpet player as well as being a highly effective bandleader.
Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.
Mary McLeod Bethune was born in Mayesville, South Carolina. In addition to being an educator, she was a philanthropist and humanitarian.
A great river is not aimless. It has direction and purpose. So also must a good life have a definite aim; all its strength and fullness must be turned in one direction.
Be grateful for the joy of life. Be glad for the privilege of work. Be thankful for the opportunity to give and serve.
Grenville Kleiser (1968-1935) was an American author. Many of his writings offered inspiration and guidance for personal development.
Big Sky Buckeye 