“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15
Thankfulness is self-propagating
Let it bloom and see
the seeds form, scatter, and grow
into more blooms
multiplied and twirling
eagerly in the sunshine
the first flower, the largest labor-
Preparing the ground of our hearts,
Making it a place where life can live
coaxing the cotyledon to emerge
from the pressing darkness
(sin, despair, disgrace, fear
you name yours)
stretching, reaching, pulling
thirsty for the sun
leaves suck in the light’s truth
feeding the budding bloom
till there! It pops!
Color, fragrance and beauty
Radiate the sun
And you are emboldened
There comes another flower
Another thought of something you’re not owed
Yet is there
Another glimmer of glory
Lightening your load
Another minute detail of vast creation
So intricate, delicate and intimate
Another memory you want to fix
In perpetuity the innocence of a child
Another peeling back of metaphysical
Meaning divine beyond the veil
Another lifting of the soul
In song released from swelling heart
Another gush of inspiration
Mimicking the creator’s work
Another moment when all you hear is the wind
The wind and you, you and the wind
Another reminder that you are the remnant
Chosen, bought, secured, redeemed
All this growing, blooming, thriving
Has a single origin
It beats in and through and all around
You sicken and die without
Its living loving breath
The pride of a meadow’s worth of thankfulness
Belongs to the gardener
So sing ye lips, lift up your voice
With ceaseless praise
Repeat, revere his name
The maker’s name
Whose sustaining essence
Seeds the world
For when he is its source
Thankfulness is self-propagating