Thanksgiving

On the Back Porch

Traveling along life’s journey while we are just planning to get through the day, we are probably unconscious of any potential life changing circumstances that may occur. It has been a strange and multi-eventful, yet pretty hard 2020 so far and we still have two months to go. 

There are enough problems to sort of get you feeling mighty low if you give in to it.  But, I’m thankful that I can ask God to shoulder the load and give me the strength to go about life knowing that He has my back.  I am thankful for all the many blessings that He brings to fill our lives. 

Here I am, sitting on the back porch listening to the birds tell about their busy day and  I guess my mind must have wandered back to a simpler time many years ago. We didn’t have TV and it wasn’t time for the Lone Ranger to come on over the radio, so we were just sitting in the shade swapping yarns. 

It was October, maybe November, and we were caught up with cow work, so we took this opportunity to have a slow easy afternoon. Mom and the girls were rattling around in the kitchen getting supper ready, the milk cow was dry, the eggs had been gathered and we were just biding our time until chow was called. 

Willy allowed as how he was thankful that we had enjoyed a good rain recently and Jack said he figured the catfish were probably getting ready to eat every worm he could dig. 

My Ol’ Daddy said, “Boys, it’s coming on to Thanksgiving and we need to be thanking the Good Lord for His Blessings. The wars over, our folks come home safe, we had a good calf crop, and the banker is happy. And you know, we all got good health…we are mighty blessed!” 

Well, that cranked us all up and you know, Thanksgiving happened right then and there under that shade tree! Then Mom rang the chow bell and before you knew it we were rubbing our tummies in a most satisfied way and “HiYo Silver” was booming from the radio. 

That old familiar sound from yesteryear brought me out of my reverie and back to the Wren’s fussing about where they were to sleep tonight. And I immediately asked the Good Lord to bless us all as we face this busier complicated world.

 I say all of that as a way of saying “Thank You” to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as well as to my family and my friends and all of you fine folk that read and enjoy my writing. It is appropriate at Thanksgiving time to be thankful for our many blessings, so thank you Lord for all of the great people that you bring into my life!  

Thanksgiving

 

Break o day brought a morning crisp and cold,

And the cowboy knelt to say his thanks to God,

He was grateful for this life with blessings untold,

Soon the mustangs would come, with hooves pounding sod.

 

He often came here to enjoy nature’s gift,

But this time was special, this Thanksgiving Day,

A time when one could feel his spirit lift,

His soul was free and he began to pray. 

 

(To God)

Lord, we set this day aside to say “Thank you,”

For the many blessings brought to each one,

For teaching us, through your Word, how to do,

Promising eternal life, through Jesus, Your Son.

I am thankful for the bounty that you bring,

That helps us in our struggle with worldly ways,

And thank you for victory o’er deaths sting,

You keep us strong, and for that we give our praise.

 

Thank you, God, for sending Your Blessed Son,

To walk on Earth as man, to run the race,

His death upon the Cross meant victory was won,

And man could have eternal life, thru Grace!

 

(For Country)   

Thank you for America, land of the free,

And for the founding fathers, loyal and strong,

And for Your Guiding Hand from sea to shining sea,

Then preserving these words in a patriotic song.

 

(And Veterans)   

Now Lord, thank you for veterans, so gallant and brave,

That answered their Countries call to serve,

Generously stood tall, our freedoms to save,

Our moral and ethical principles to preserve. 

 

(For Family)   

And Lord, thank you for parents, loving and wise,

To teach us good values and how to live life,

With brothers and sisters and good family ties,

My wonderful children and a sweet, loving wife.

 

(For our future)

I thank You for our young folks, as they seek their trail,

And we ask that Your Guiding Hand point the way.

So please help each one see what You unveil,

In days to come, Your Glory to display.

 

Now Lord, we pray for mercy upon this world,

That Your Power will defeat encroaching evil,

With love and forgiving, as Your flag is unfurled,

That mankind will turn and seek Your Will!

 

Thank you that you provide for every need,

As you guide our path again and again,

As we ride this trail, for your mercy we plead,

We send this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen!

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553