Bob’s Banter: On Thankfulness

ROBERT CLEMENTS

Oh Lord that lends me life,

Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!

                                                                           ….William Shakespeare

It was one of those awful days. Everything was going wrong, when I chanced upon these delightful lines. I read them and slowly a grin spread across my sullen face, then I looked up and said a big, big thank you!

I am thankful for all the things that go bad to show there is reason to give thanks!

For the wife who takes over my whole bed, because I know she is at home asleep with me and not with someone else.
For my teenage daughter who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home and not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a floor that needs mopping and windows that need cleaning because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For the noise I have to bear from my neighbors because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am still alive.

“Oh God,” I said, “it’s so easy to grumble when we should really be looking up and saying thank you!”

“Thank you Lord..!

For all that God in mercy sends

For health and children, home and friends;

For comfort in the time of need,

For every kindly word and deed,

For holy thought and happy talk,

For guidance in our daily walk—

For everything give thanks!

Robert Clements is a journalist and widely published newspaper columnist. His column Bob’s Banter is published in over 30 newspapers and magazines