Sunday, January 04, 2015 ... A Thanksgiving to God, for his House, by Robert Herrick (1591-1674) Lord, Thou hast given me a cell Wherein to dwell, A little house, whose humble roof Is weather-proof: Under the spars of which I lie Both soft, and dry; Where Thou my chamber for to ward Hast set a guard Of harmless thoughts, to watch and keep Me, while I sleep. Low is my porch, as is my fate, Both void of state; And yet the threshold of my door Is worn by th poor, Who thither come and freely get Good words, or meat. Like as my parlour, so my hall And kitchens small; A little buttery, and therein A little bin, Which keeps my little loaf of bread Unchippd, unflead; Some brittle sticks of thorn or briar Make me a fire, Close by whose living coal I sit, And glow like it. Lord, I confess too, when I dine, The pulse is Thine, And all those other bits, that be There placd by Thee; The worts, the purslain, and the mess Of water-cress, Which of Thy kindness Thou hast sent; And my content Makes those, and my beloved beet, To be more sweet. Tis Thou that crownst my glittering hearth With guiltless mirth; And givst me wassail-bowls to drink, Spicd to the brink. Lord, tis Thy plenty-dropping hand That soils my land; And givst me, for my bushel sown, Twice ten for one; Thou makst my teeming hen to lay Her egg each day; Besides my healthful ewes to bear Me twins each year; The while the conduits of my kine Run cream, for wine. All these, and better, Thou dost send Me, to this end, That I should render, for my part, A thankful heart, Which, fird with incense, I resign, As wholly Thine; But the acceptance, that must be, My Christ, by Thee. I love this meditation on all that makes up the place God has given us in which to live. Look around you. What little things have you forgotten to give thanks to God for? A thoughtful person once said that if you are having a hard time praying, start by listing the names of your family, your friends and the little things you are thankful for. It will amaze you how long you can make that list of thanks. O God, protect and guide those who share this living place with me, their going out and their coming in; and let them share the hospitality of this home with all who visit, that those who enter here may know your love and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Occasional Services, Blessing of a Dwelling, pg. 187. ) Tor Kristian Berg Pastor, First Lutheran Church Bothell, Wash. Master of Divinity , 1994
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 12:55:45 +0000
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