We are all shaped by experiences in our families - in positive as well as challenging ways. Thanksgiving Day offers an opportunity to bring those memories to life, especially if they’re positive ones.
A dear memory of family Thanksgivings in a small Wisconsin town was to sing a prayer of thanks before we sat down to a sumptuous feast. The familiar doxology, “Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow” was our traditional choice.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
And it wasn’t just the melody we sang, we each took a harmonic note, given to us by older brother, Archie, who had a keen ear for notes that complemented the melody. With seven siblings, each separated by 3-5 years, we had a complete four-part choral rendition.
But when we got to the “Amen,” it was up to us to try adding to the four parts with extra low and high notes. When we found what sounded good, we’d hold the elaborate chord until our last gasp. I still get chills recalling how this felt! This Thanksgiving, surrounded by so much negative news swirling around us and around the world, let’s pause and join with all the creatures on earth and the heavenly hosts to offer thanks and praise in recognition that all good things come from God.
I’m ConnieSeraphine and that is my perspective.
