“He leads me
beside the still waters
He restores my soul”
He restores my soul
I’m here in the North Woods
beside a little lake
Nestled in a pristine bog
Soft and spongey moss

Cotton ball spires
atop spindly stems
Dancing in the breezes
Singing a song of praise

Praise to the Creator
Praise to all Goodness
Praise to sun pennies
sparkling on water ripples
Praise to bright red cranberries
ready for harvest
In time for Thanksgiving
Time of Gratitude

“What shall I render to the Lord
for all His bounty to me?
I will raise the cup of salvation
and call on the Name of the Lord
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people…
I will offer to You the sacrifice
of Thanksgiving
and call on the Name of the Lord”
How shall I call on Your Name, O My God?
By living aware of Your Presence
By writing of Your Goodness
By pleading for Your mercy
Mercy on this broken world
So many deprived of this beauty
Caught in the snares of death
Trapped in the inhumanity of man
May my heart filled with this Beauty
be a channel of grace to others
However that may unfold
One soul at a time
One candle can bring Light
If only it stays aflame
Stays connected to the Source
Unlimited supply of Life
Thank You Lord praise You
You don’t bless me just for me
It’s meant to be shared
Show me Lord, when and where
May I stay connected
Through Your Word
And Sacraments
Especially through prayer
To be a reservoir
Like the little lake
Brimming with life
in the midst of a bog
I’ll return here often
In the quiet of my mind
Sweet hour of prayer
Singing a Love Song
of Your Mercy for the world

Ps 23:2b,3a
Ps 116:12-14; 17