thanks
Bright sunshine blazed through the nearly barren trees as the sun rose on this frosty morning. Lying randomly beneath the huge tree in the front yard are pecans ready to be collected, dried, and stored. The task began several days ago as we made our path from the outside perimeter to the inner core near the tree. Several bags were filled before we made a single round, so many more remain for today’s harvest. One of the several nearby squirrels has also found her way to the abundant harvest of delicious nuts. The quite ample supply gives assurance there are more than enough to share. The simple act of harvest, though challenging to this stiff Parkinson’s affected back, is a welcomed retreat from the seemingly unavoidable news reports of terror, and political and religious strife. Grasping each exposed pecan nut from its protective outer shell in which it matured affords an opportunity to express thanks for this fine harvest that will be shared over the coming season. An escape from the complex world around us into the seemingly simple world of collecting the gift of harvest brings with it great joy through which gratitude gains its opportunity for expression. The germination and development under various climate conditions of this gift of nature is far from simple, but its rendering enables for us a simple act of harvest. May you find within the complexity of your day that special chance to give thanks for the harvest before you, in whatever form it may take!
Just days away from the arrival of her first litter, Miss Gracie, the Golden Retriever, is doing far more snoring than retrieving. Burdened with a load of pups soon to worm their way to the daylight she is almost mournfully lethargic. The once ambitious discoverer of all things interesting in the yard and fields is now quite satisfied to find a place suitable for depositing her business so she can return to her place of repine in the cool air conditioned space of the old farm house. Her desire to be close seems to have intensified, but our times of “lap petting” have diminished because of her discomfort and weight. We now spend time massaging her ever widening belly and rubbing her head and neck. Nature will soon take its course and the pups will begin their descent through the birth canal to be welcomed by jubilant hosts and a somewhat relieved mother. We will give thanks one by one and encourage Gracie as she engages her motherly instincts at whelping. Although our knowledge of science has increased with greater understanding of the union of gametes to begin the process that leads to gestation we are still in awe of the way in which each of us are uniquely (and even Divinely) designed. Today we linger a little longer at the place of thanks as we lift our minds in gratitude to the place of our beginnings.
Bright sun glistening through the trees illuminates the view to the outside this morning. A vivid reminder of the wonder of life bursts through to the inside this day. Soon we will meet with a few friends and relatives to entomb the ashes of a dear cousin. The gathering will be a celebration of the memories of this dear soul whose presence at times was bigger than one could imagine life being. Her experiences were expansive and her adventures even greater because of the insatiable hunger for reading she possessed. Her relationship with books and the information and vicarious experiences contained therein was superseded only by her love of friends and family. Burdened with multiple losses throughout her life she seemed to always seek a place of gratitude wherein she could relax as she surveyed the world around her. Today, we dedicate but a fraction of our time to the recollection and praise of one whose life touched ours with great meaning. Today we do not say goodbye for there is no need to say goodbye to one who inspires such great memories that live long in our hearts. Today we say “THANK YOU” for living out your dreams and sharing so much of yourself with others! Our cup of gratitude is overflowing!
In the dead of winter the leaf barren trees offer what is only a muted view of the horizon beyond the Dan River flowing past the farm. Spring brings forth leaves that obscure the vision of anything beyond the trees upon which they grow. During three of the four annual seasons, it is fair to say, one can see no evidence of an eastern horizon or that of a river flowing below. Simply because one cannot view the horizon during those seasons does not mean that horizon and river do not exist. Even in the midst of winter when leaves have fallen to the ground below the trees the view is still somewhat obscured by limbs, branches, and evergreens. As I ponder this natural phenomenon I realize that the full magnitude of God’s grace and love cannot be viewed because of the nature of the obstructions we place in the way. Time, agendas, habits, ego, grief, joy seeking and self-pity are but a few of the branches and leaves we put on the trees in our vision. As I ponder these hills in the quiet of the morning I recognize the obscurity of my vision and give thanks for this moment in which my view need not be more than that of grace.
Wind whips quickly from the northwest bringing with it bone chilling change from cold to colder. The full leafed pecan tree standing stately in the sun lit terrain suddenly gives up its leaves to the blowing flow and then stands barren and exposed. Summer is far behind us now and soon autumn will give way to a full fledged winter. Change is omnipresent and at times such as these makes itself known to a greater degree than others. Experience tells us that these days too will give way to others and the rebirth of springtime will emerge with welcomed chirps and warmer winds. Change is an intimate part of life. Some see it as an enemy where others see it as a friend. Peace comes in its embrace within the arms of gratitude for within that embrace awaits the richness of the Creator. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Perched on the railing of the back deck the flower boxes are overflowing with bright colored blooms. A “cold front” moved through last evening and left behind much cooler and dryer air, The blooms this morning seem almost crisp as they glisten in the light of the early dawn. Absent this year is the abundance of butterflies that seemed to consume the flower nectar in years gone by. Whether a result of the extreme cold during the winter past or just a quirk of nature’s cycle, the absence of butterflies is noticeable. One wonders if the poverty of Lepidoptera signals a forecast of more ominous weather this coming fall and winter. Time will tell and nature will deliver what has been appointed her. Today I give thanks for the beauty that blooms. That beauty is not diminished by the fear of what may or may not come in the future. Likewise, the potential and sometimes probable loss of flexibility and function in the future does not diminish the gratitude for the freedom of movement enjoyed today. Living in the midst of gratitude for today is the best immunization against the gloom that comes with fear of the future. May you enjoy the full dose of gratitude today!
In the pre-dawn moments as all was quiet, my mind awakened to a plethora of unfinished business. The process of cleaning gutters was mentally engaged as I wandered off to some barn roof repairs and then to a recollection of my father sitting in the old corn crib, long demolished, proudly showing the corn he had so expertly shucked. In those twilight moments I realized I was drifting in and out of sleep. People for whom I prayed came to mind and I realized the list was long. As I thanked God for the privilege of another day I became fully aware of the blessings surrounding me. The presence of a loving God; the assurance of my eternal presence with Him; the opportunity to be living in a loving faith-filled home; and the opportunity to live out these blessings in humble gratitude gives rise to a thankful heart. The challenges of this day are unknown, but the truth of God’s grace is sufficient to face them all. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.
Birds are chirping and the fields glisten as the morning sun strikes the dew covered flora. The cool evening set the stage for a refreshing morning worthy of praise. Sizzling sausage patties yielded their fragrance as the fresh farm eggs were being beaten in preparation for a sumptuous breakfast. With toast and jam, sausage and eggs and a steaming cup of coffee, this day was off to a roaring start. It is not every day that we feast so abundantly in the morning. For today’s provisions and the physical fortitude to prepare, we are grateful. As we prepare to join others in worship of our creator we cannot help but be thankful for the supply of daily needs, the love of family and friends, and the sovereign care from the loving God. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
A change in weather is predicted over the next few days with highs near seventy rather than the ninety degree temperatures we have been experiencing. This will be a welcomed change. Not all change is greeted with such enthusiasm. A dear friend recently left for an eternity in the arms of God. A loved cousin is battling multiples of ailments now as she patiently endures the caretaking at the local medical center. Producing my signature is an undertaking that previously required little thinking but now requires full attention to range of motion. Too much concentration on any one thing renders a trembling right hand that I’ve grown accustomed to humorously slapping back to attention. Sometimes change means loss and at other times change means to gain. Whether loss or gain change is a condition of life. Sometimes that change is met with grief and at other times it is met with joy. Gratitude for the journey is the fuel that propels the engine of faith that sustains us through the grief and lifts us in the joy. The charge given by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Thessalonica is wise; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Two dark eyes peering from the golden tan head attached to a frantically wagging posterior signal to me a desire to play. Soon, the ball is dropped beside my reclining seat as if saying; “let’s get this going.” Ice covered snow outside precludes a romp in the yard lest there be a furry orb sliding with protest down the hill. Ball in hand and panting pup poised to pounce, the object of retrieval is tossed toward the back door. Scurrying down the hallway and sliding head bound toward the closed and resistant door, her majesty pounced adeptly on top of the ball. A tip tap of toenails along the hallway preceded her return with the orb as she reluctantly gave it up for another pounce down the hallway. The routine repeats itself until all are satisfied that sufficient rounds have been accomplished on this cold winter’s day at the farm. With sun now shining and fire burning briskly, both participants in the fetching game can now settle down to catch the latest news. Filled with thanks for sun and warmth, we are embraced with gratitude for the end of the storm and the beginning of the coming thaw. Thanks is the thread that weaves the warm blanket of gratitude that wraps a grace filled heart!