Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday. Yes, already. This is a time to be thankful for all the things in our lives. While it’s good to remember our good health, the blessings of our children, the one thing we have a tendency to forget to be thankful for is God. If it weren’t for His love and grace, we wouldn’t have the peace in our lives that we do.
Make sure this holiday that when you’re thanking God for all things He’s giving you, that you include Jesus Christ. He gave His life for us all, and that is something we should definitely remember this time of year.
I hope you enjoy the poem below. I thought it was appropriate for the holiday.
Take care, be safe, and have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Kathryn J. Bain
The Thanksgivings
by
Harriet Maxwell Converse (1836-1903)
(Translated from a traditional Iroquois prayer)
We who are here present thank the Great Spirit that we are here to praise Him.
We thank Him that He has created men and women, and ordered that these beings shall always be living to multiply the earth.
We thank Him for making the earth and giving these beings its products to live on.
We thank Him for the water that comes out of the earth and runs for our lands.
We thank Him for all the animals on the earth.
We thank Him for certain timbers that grow and have fluids coming from them for us all.
We thank Him for the branches of the trees that grow shadows for our shelter.
We thank Him for the beings that come from the west, the thunder and lightning that water the earth.
We thank Him for the light which we call our oldest brother, the sun that works for our good.
We thank Him for all the fruits that grow on the trees and vines.
We thank Him for his goodness in making the forests, and thank all its trees.
We thank Him for the darkness that gives us rest, and for the kind Being of the darkness that gives us light, the moon.
We thank Him for the bright spots in the skies that give us signs, the stars.
We give Him thanks for our supporters, who had charge of our harvests.
We give thanks that the voice of the Great Spirit can still be heard through the words of Ga-ne-o-di-o.
We thank the Great Spirit that we have the privilege of this pleasant occasion.
We give thanks for the persons who can sing the Great Spirit’s music, and hope they will be privileged to continue in his faith.
We thank the Great Spirit for all the persons who perform the ceremonies on this occasion.
