THANKSGIVING

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD—Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1a-2 (NIV)

They came across the ocean to the wild, unsettled shore
to a new land giving refuge with its widely opened door.
Though many lost possessions, and some lost their lives,
they came seeking freedom for their children and their wives.

With fear and tribulations, they left their lands behind
and traveled many months, this new land to find.
When they tread the shoreline, they knelt in prayer to God,
giving thanks to the Almighty as they stood on freedoms sod.

With guns and hoes and axes, they built their homes anew.
There never was a minute lacking for some chore to do.
With aching backs and muscles, they tilled the virgin earth,
thanking God for their blessings, the harvest, and new birth.

Each day was filled with challenge, with illness, death and pain.
But work, they did, with vigor, sorrow, tears, and rain.
And friends, they made of natives, who taught them nature's plans,
so harvest was the sweeter with the clasp of friendly hands.

They made a feast in gladness for their freedom, joy and health.
They thanked God for the freshness, for their freedom was their wealth.
And so their first Thanksgiving was a pattern for us all.
And still, two centuries later, we remember it each Fall.

These first Pilgrim Americans, who were stout of limb and heart,
gave up their homes across the sea to make a brand new start.
And we, their heirs to freedom, in honor kneel to pray,
to thank them and God above for this Thanksgiving Day.

We give You thanks, Lord, for our freedom and abundance of food, shelter, jobs and Your love. Amen.

© 2016  Evelyn B. Ryan