Happy Thanksgiving to my readers from the U.S.! When I reflect on what being thankful means to me, I quickly realize that very little of who I am or what I do or what I have is a result of my own efforts.
Yes, there is work I must do. But God takes my feeble efforts and makes something out of them. I do what only I can do…and God does what only He can do.
Earlier this week, I came across this poem/hymn by Mathius Claudius, called “We Plow the Fields,” which beautifully expresses this sentiment, and reminds me of the many blessings from God that I can be thankful for:
We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.He only is the Maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.We thank You, then O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food;
Accept the gifts we offer for all Your love imparts,
And what You most desire, our humble, thankful hearts.–Mathias Claudius
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