A Thanksgiving
for Hard Things

Thank You, my Father that Your wisest choosing,
To my own wayward heart is ever proving,
That some glad joy I longed my life to garnish,
Would but have left me marred with rust and tarnish.

Thank You, Lord, for that most kind depriving,
Which mercifully withstood my soul's mad driving,
And kept me from some greater, horribler loss,
While teaching me the glory of Thy cross.

Thank You that the smaller scars I have sustained,
Have kept me, Lord, from what I might have gained,
Of deeper wounds that span the years of life,
And bear the loathsome fruit of constant strife.

Thank You for Your thoughtful little tokens,
Reminding that I'm loved, though sorely broken;
And so I find these smaller blessings meet,
To bring me here in worship at Thy feet.

Thank You, Lord, that that which seemeth good to Thee,
Hath overruled that which seemed so good to me,
And so withheld some earthly satisfaction,
That I might serve Thee here without distraction.

O Thank You, God, that confidence yet growing,
Can rest in Thy great wisdom, safely knowing,
Though troubles come which I can never tell,
Yet my Redeemer doeth all things well.

By Mary Van Nattan
(now Stephens)
Nov. 2004

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Mark 7:37 ...He hath done all things well...

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD
will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them
that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that
trusteth in thee.