Thanks Be

Across the deep divide came men of faith,

Upon wood, cloth and God they put their trust,

Endless days and starry nights spent adrift,

Desperately seeking terra freedom to end the quest.

Oh how quick enchanted shores become frigid nights,

Strangers in a distant land aching inwardly in their plight,

Hanging hope with determined faith to what will be,

Able to give thanks for the strength of our Lord.

From faithful few our nation was born,

Men of freedom, men of might,

Men of courage, men of sight,

A land of freedom and hope to all.

Thanks be to those who have come before,

Thanks be to our nation of strength and will,

Thanks be to fathers, sons, mothers and daughters,

Thanks be to our Lord in Heaven who lent his hand.

Now continues the journey of hope and faith,

Striving to carry on our founding legacy,

Grasping onto the freedom given to us,

Freedom granted us by our Lord on high.

We dutifully offer thanks for the essentials,

Homes, jobs, clothing, food, transportation,

Often taken for granted by us daily,

But longed for by many others we never see.

True thankfulness comes from deep within,

Family, friends, freedom from this world,

True freedom and a heart of thanks,

Comes only from rejoicing in our Lord and Savior.

Thanks be to God for our loving family and friends,

Thanks be to God for joy deep within,

Thanks be for our true freedom over this world,

Thanks be to our lord in Heaven who lends His hand.

Several years ago my wife and I wrote this poem together for Thanksgiving as an expression of our thankfulness for all we have.