Stormy clouds gather
Today’s outlook dims
Covered now in darkness
Patience ready to swim
Challenges remain
Compassion checks in
Peace about to arrive
Patience blending within
Course change encouraged
Navigation set
Calm breath’s steady compass
Patience erases threat
Progress comes about
Horizon lightens
Ember of thankful grace
Patience’s fabric brightens
New day beginning
Each hour flying by
Tomorrow just ahead
Patience fills endless sky
Darkness
Surrounds thee
God’s blazing fire
Enemy vanquished to shadows
Salvation
Heart
Distress filled
God’s trusted answers
Lighting His righteous path
Confidence
Songs
Of praise
God’s steadfast love
His goodness endures forever
Thankfulness
I wouldn’t have dared ask God for all that He’s given me. I couldn’t have done it on my own. I thank God every day for what I have.
From Psalm 107:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
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.
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.
From 2 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her body of published work is found in autobiographies, essays, poems, and numerous credits in plays, movies, and television shows.
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) was an American motivational writer.
From Psalm 9:1-2: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Another harvest finished
Bushels filled with Father’s grace
Spirit of thankfulness sings
Chorus of voices embrace
Gifted with bounty’s surplus
Every homestead offers praise
Spirit of Messiah sings
Mercy’s light always ablaze
Humbleness in daily walk
Morning’s sunrise praises all
Spirit of risen Lord sings
Cherished rewards come each fall
Community now gathers
Worship fills this tiny church
Spirit of faithfulness sings
Hope filling tomorrow’s search
Another spring shall arrive
Father’s glory in each seed
Spirit of thankfulness sings
Savior’s love forever freed
From Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Summer sunrise lights up the vast Montana prairie
Fields of grain smelling like sweetest confectionery
Farmers and ranchers always start up their days early
Full and hearty breakfast, making any man feel burly
This morning’s itinerary calls for baling hay
Alfalfa windrows cannot wait around all day
With tractor pulling an old baler, creating perfect bales
Gentle morning breeze fills out the air like a ship’s sails
Midday arrives, there’s time for a quick, tasty bite
Wife packs dinner with her usual special delights
Afternoon heat and wind suspend all baling for now
Starting up the swather, cutting hay as time allows
Thinking about next week, wheat looking to ripen by then
Combine stands ready and dependable, just like Big Ben
About an hour before sundown, pick-up truck returns home
Just enough daylight to check a few cows where they roam
Supper bell will be ringing soon, so need to finish now
Washing up, sitting down with wife, enjoy hearty chow
Praying together, evening transcends with the setting sun
Thankful for the Lord’s help with another day’s work done
Originally published August, 2020.
If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Waking up early
Tasting morning’s sunrise
Brewing extra coffee
Blessed exercise
Turning off headlines
Producing one’s own news
Looking outside for joy
Always better view
Extending kindness
Helping neighbor with chores
Finishing up early
Never keeping score
Praising each minute
Gathering, coffee’s up
Meeting with cherished friends
Rewards with each cup
Witnessing sunset
Putting past hours away
Giving thanks for life’s pulse
Every gifted day
Big Sky Buckeye 