As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Monday, November 30, 2015

"This Our Hymn of Grateful Praise"


Some of our guests had wondered if we were up to hosting Thanksgiving dinner again this year. It was thoughtful of them to wonder. After all, it has been a challenging season for our household. During those long days in the hospital, I could not even allow myself to think about the holidays. We were just getting through one day at a time



But as life became more manageable, we knew that we needed to host Thanksgiving. We needed something to look forward to. We needed the fellowship of our family and friends. We needed normalcy. We needed to celebrate.





This is a season of gratitude! Of course, every year (every day!) we have so much for which to be thankful. Our Lord has redeemed us. He has given us His Word. He walks beside us. He provides for our needs. His mercies are infinite, and new every morning.







But this year, we have some extra special reasons to be thankful!

~ Ron's health continues to be restored! 

~ Ryan has accepted a new position and he and his family will be moving (are you ready for this?!) about 7 miles from us! Not 1500 miles, not 3000 miles, not 800 miles, not even 200 miles...but 7 miles!

~ Our newest little grand will be joining the family in January!





And so, we gathered. 

Gathered for fellowship. Gathered for celebration. Gathered in thankfulness. 



Before dinner, we lifted our voices together and sang...

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.


For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, 
Friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild, 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 


For Thy church that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love, 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.



For Thyself, best Gift Divine, to our race so freely giv'n, 
For that great, great love of Thine, peace on earth and joy in Heav'n, 
Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 




Ron stood and thanked everyone for coming. He expressed what a thrill it was to have all four of our children and all nine of our grandchildren together under one roof...as well as extended family and beloved friends. He offered up a prayer of thanks, and we broke bread together. 




Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise!

13 comments:

  1. Hallelujah! What a joyful post. Love all the decorations, table settings, and the words added! So thankful for all of you. Yippee about the 7 miles away news!

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  2. What a gathering! Loved seeing the people, the place settings, Ron peeling those potatoes, and reading the praise! So happy to learn that Ryan and family will be moving so close. Will he get to stay? Such exciting happy times for your family not the least of which is Ron's ongoing restoration to good health. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

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    1. Vee, he is staying!! Perhaps for the rest of his life!

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  3. This is such a praise worthy post! So grateful for Ron's improved health, new grand coming, Ryan's family moving closer!

    Joy!

    Deanna

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  4. Love that hymn...we sang it a couple of weeks ago. Why yes, you did host Thanksgiving and what a beautiful job you did! Did anyone ever tell you, you should have a blog??? {smile} Your table looks absolutely gorgeous...and there's such lovely warmth in these treasured family photos, Cheryl.

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  5. Such a lovely Thanksgiving at your home, dear Cheryl. It's so nice to see your family gathered around your beautiful table. I'm so happy for you to have your son and family move so close to you. How wonderful! The best is yet to come! ♥

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  6. Oh, Cheryl! This post was the next-best-thing-to-being-there-myself. I could almost feel the love & hear the melody/harmony of that beautiful hymn. Praising God with you for ALL those reasons and many more of our own ♥

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  7. I ALWAYS love your posts, but this was an especially wonderful one. Such a heartfelt feeling of love and gratitude and praise for all of your blessings. Ron's restored health, and your son moving sooo close! Doesn't get a whole lot better. As always your pictures tell the story so well of your family and home. LOVE that hymn. PRAISING God with you!






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  8. Blessed and Beautiful gathering!~tammy

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  9. A post full of thankfulness…thank you for sharing your joy. God is faithful all the time. You make serving a big crowd look easy. :-) Your churchill blue dishes look wonderful set on the wood and with the orange! Love that your son and family are moving so close!!!

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  10. I've been away from blogs for a while and just read your earlier posts. Oh my! I can empathize with your anticipation for Ron's restored health through the ups and downs and hospital stays. To be greeted with the communion bread from your home fellowship must have been a refreshment of both body and soul. I am very happy to hear that Ron is home and much better.

    How wonderful that Ryan and his family will be so close.

    What a handsome Thanksgiving table you created. I love that hymn. Karen A.

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  11. Grateful Praise indeed! I love that song and you have put the words into beautiful pictures of your family's gathering. So thankful to hear that your husband is getting better. Such a beautiful family! Take care of yourself too these days ...

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  12. I'm so glad you were able to host Thanksgiving, it does help things feel normal again when you can do the things you enjoy. (and you do family gatherings so well) Thankful to hear your husband continues to get better and a new grand and your son moving closer...so many things to be thankful for!!

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