O God, we thank you for this earth; our home,
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thorn bush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
This is Day 13 of Right Here. Throughout October, I’m joining with a community of other bloggers (over 1,500 strong! with The Nester), writing for 31 days about the same topic. To find all posts in 31 Days of Right Here, click here, or see the listing below.
To continue receiving these daily words, subscribe to this blog on the sidebar at left, click here to Like Draw Near on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @AshleyMLarkin. I’m immensely grateful to share the journey with you.
Linking today with Sarah at Sacro Speco (Sacred Space).
POSTS IN THE SERIES
An introduction: Welcome to 31 Days of Right Here
Day 1: For You, Too
Day 2: Fear’s Invitation
Day 3: My Portion
Day 4: Five Minute Friday – Write
Day 5: Rise and Shine
Day 6: My Joys Mount As Do the Birds
Day 7: A Mother’s Fierce Love
Day 8: When Life’s A Mad Rush – How To Slow Time
Day 9: The Fight For Right Here Told Through Two Tales of Epic Whining (Part I)
Day 10: The Fight For Right Here Told Through Two Tales of Epic Whining (Part II)
Day 11: Five Minute Friday: Ordinary
Day 12: When Right Here’s A Mess
Day 13: O God, We Thank You
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
Dear Ashley
Oh, I had to smile for I have written about thorn bushes in my FMF post. Nothing our Pappa has created can ever be common. The whole of creation shines with His glory.
Blessings XX
Mia
Is that right, Mia? :) Glory is everyday seen from the middle of creation. Bless you.
Ashley – Really enjoying following along with you on 31 days! Have a blessed Sunday!
Hugs,
Kelly
Grateful to journey with you, Kelly.
This is prayer and praise and gratitude in its fullness! What a beautiful example of a Right Here prayer. (I think there can be such value in reading aloud – even memorizing – the prayers of others. This is one of those for me. I’m printing it.) thank you Ashley! xo
I really love this prayer and want to read more about this man. Such a fascinating story and a beautiful heartfelt prayer.
A beautiful image and a beautiful prayer. A reminder to give thanks right where we’re at. Visiting from Sacro Speco.
Grateful to see you here, Rebekah. I love Sarah’s vision of Sacro Speco. Happy to connect with you there and through (in)couraging writers.
Beautiful prayer – a reminder to be ever thankful. We take so much for granted sometimes, but all we have to do is look around at the beauty he has given us and realize we have much for which to be thankful.
Yes — “all we have to do is look around.” Gratitude comes from seeing, doesn’t it? Thank you for your words.