Last year when my eldest son Joshua had just turned eight, he learned and recited a beautiful poem of thanksgiving.ÂÂ The poem gave us all pause for reflection and drew us to thanksgiving to God Who provides for us from day to day.Â
The poem would make very appropriate dinner-table reading tonight, and I’d encourage you to have your children put it to memory – so it can be an inspiration for years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving!
John-Henry Westen
Editor
LifeSiteNews.com
The Open Door. – Unknown Author
Within a town of Holland once
A widow dwelt, ‘tis said,
So poor, alas! her children asked
One night, in vain, for bread.
But this poor woman loved the Lord,
And knew that He was good;
So, with her little ones around,
She prayed to him for food.
When prayer was done, her eldest child,
A boy of eight years old,
Said, softly, “In the Holy Book,
Dear Mother, we are told
How God, with food by ravens brought,
Supplied His prophet’s need.”
“Yes,” answered she, “but that, my son,
Was long ago indeed.”
“But mother, God may do again
What He has done before;
And so, to let the birds fly in,
I shall unclose the door.”
Then little Josh, in simple faith,
Threw ope the door full wide,
So that the radiance of the lamp
Fell on the path outside.
Ere long, the burgomaster passed,
And, noticing the light,
Paused to inquire why the door
Was open so at night.
“My little Josh has done it, sir,”
The widow, smiling, said,
“That ravens might fly in and bring
My hungry children bread.”
“Indeed!” the burgomaster cried,
“Then here’s a raven, lad;
Come to my home, and you shall see
Where bread may soon be had.”
Along the street to his own house
He quickly led the boy,
And sent him back with food that filled
His humble home with joy.
The supper ended, little Josh
Went to the open door,
Looked up and said, “Many thanks, dear Lord,”
Then shut it fast once more.
For though no bird had entered in,
He knew that God on high
Had hearkened to his mother’s prayer,
And sent this full supply.