pathway

pathway
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon,
My script of joy, immortal diet,
M
y bottle of salvation.
My gown of glory, hopes true gauge,
And thus I'll take my pilgrimage.

~Sir Walter Raleigh

A hiker, walking for pleasure, likes to choose between several alluring trails.
The pilgrim desires only the road that leads home.

~Frank W. Boreham


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thanksgiving Retrospective



Family gatherings..just the words conjure up thoughts, memories, all sorts. Our family Thanksgivings have been the one holiday we gather together. In times past, each family unit has someone involved in ministry making a Christmas feast difficult, nay impossible. So Thanksgiving was chosen for the yearly coming together.


Generally too, it has been at least a two day affair. Each member must come with a name and occupation chosen for the time. [think: clever, silly, downright daft but never serious]

Each family unit also must come prepared to perform some talent [ very seldom serious].


When it comes to cooks in our clan, there is nary a clinker. Always the food is too good and too plentiful. Conversation flows constantly, laughter erupts frequently. We enjoy each other, the youngest to the eldest, back and forth and all in between.


But with all the changes that have or may take place there is one constant.


Following the giving of thanks, as we stand circling the table and still holding hands, someone leads out in the singing of Thomas Ken's wonderful words of the doxology. This is sung slowly, meaningfully and in full harmony.


Through the years it has become more precious. It has become the family anthem sung together in times of sorrow as well as in times of joy.


It is lovely thing, the way simple things 'just happen' and so become meaningful traditions to carry on through all generations.


Praise Him!

4 comments:

  1. Correction - "Aaaaaaaaaamen". You know how we hate to let the harmony end:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow,
    Praise Him all creatures here below.....

    ...we joined in song in our hearts!

    ReplyDelete