From the Clerk of Session

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

I found this poem – “The World is Mine” – in a collection of articles kept through the years. It was part of the message given by Rabbi Albert L. Raab at the community Thanksgiving Eve worship service held in our sanctuary in 1974. I hope that it touches your heart as it did mine.

“Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair.
I envied her – she seemed so gay – and wished I were so fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw she had one foot and wore a crutch,
but as she passed, a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two feet – the world is mine!

And then I stopped to buy some sweets.
The lad who sold them had such charm.
I talked with him – he said to me: “It’s nice to talk with folks like you.
You see” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes – the world is mine!

Then walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes so blue.
He stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
I stopped a moment, then I said; “Why don’t you join the others dear?”
He looked ahead without a word,
and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears – the world is mine!

With feet to take me where I’d go,
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow,
With ears to hear what I would know…
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I’m blessed indeed! The world is mine!”

As we prepare for family gatherings and feasts this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember that we are indeed a people blessed by God. I pray that every day for each one of you will be a day of giving thanks. May your ears be open to hear God’s Word, your eyes open to see the beauty of God’s creation and your feet ready to follow our Lord as we walk together this month.

May God bless you in your journey. See you in church!

-Ethelyn L. Fulton, Clerk of Session