Thanksgiving Poem: We Plow The Fields by Matthias Claudius
The poem entitled "We Plow The Fields," by Matthias Claudius, says things well:
We plow the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God’s Almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft, refreshing rain.
He only is the Maker
Of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him,
By Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children,
He gives our daily bread.
We thank Thee, then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest,
Of life, our health, our food.
Accept the gifts we offer
For all Thy Love imparts,
And what Thou most desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.
Sources:
1. "Houston Chronicle," Section B, 4 STAR Edition, issue of Sunday, 04 September 2005, p. 2 (Obituary by staff writer Lynwood Abram).
2. "In Quest of God’s Power," by Charles L. Allen, c1952 Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, pp. 83-93.
3. "Priceless Gifts," compiled and edited by Sara Tarascio, c1995 New Rochelle, New York: Salesian Missions, pp. 16-17.
From a sermon by George Dillahunty, The Healing Power of Faith!, 10/24/2009