Gratefulness

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Psalm 111 CLASSIC POEM: Gratefulness George Herbert Thou that hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart. See how thy beggar works on thee By art. He makes thy gifts occasion more, And says, If he in this be crossed, All thou hast given him heretofore Is lost. But thou didst reckon, when at first Thy word our hearts and hands did crave, What it would come to at the worst To save. Perpetual knockings at thy door, Tears sullying thy transparent rooms, Gift upon gift, much would have more, And comes. This not withstanding, thou wenst on, And didst allow us all our noise: Nay thou hast made a sigh and groan Thy joys. Not that thou hast not still above Much better tunes, than groans can make; But that these country-airs thy love Did take. Wherefore I cry, and cry again; And in no quiet canst thou be, Till I a thankful heart obtain Of thee: Not thankful, when it pleaseth me; As if thy blessings had spare days: But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Praying Mary Oliver SNIPPET: It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]