All Good Gifts

   Last night a brilliant sunset painted the sky over the bare harvested fields. Although there have been dry spells this year, the fields still yielded good crops for the farmer who tills this land behind our house. It seems only weeks ago these fields were planted with corn and soybeans, but the cycle is completed and harvest is finished. 

    I was reminded of the hymn by Matthias Claudius, "We Plow the Fields."

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,

But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand.

God sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes, and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

Refrain

All good gifts around us are sent from heav'n above,

We thank you, God, we thank you, God, for all your love.

You only are the Maker of all things near and far.

You paint the wayside flower, you light the evening star.

The winds and waves obey you, by you the birds are fed;

Much more to us, your children, you give our daily bread.

We thank you then, Creator, for all things bright and good,

The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, 

And what you most would welcome, our humble, thankful hearts.