Thanksgiving for Country & Western Songs and Hymns

I swear this week started off sounding more like a country & western song than a hymn. Littlest has strep throat and our pediatrician confirmed I had a bout too.

We lost our 12 year old golden, Einstein. Putting him down yesterday was truly horrible. But, I’m grateful I was the one to hold his tired body as he slipped quietly to peace.

At some point, about the time I texted a friend to inquire if red wine and amoxicillin were compatible, I switched soundtracks. I quit crooning to Miranda Lambert’s The House That Built Me, you know the one about her favorite dawg buried ‘neath the live oak out yonder in the backyard. And, I rightfully resisted the temptation to pull out the karaoke machine to perform a one-woman rendition of Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas from the Family. It would be pushing the season entirely too much to begin singing of Christmas before the bird’s been carved. Plus, my little sister would never forgive me if I started the family tradition without her.

I fell asleep last night expecting new mercies this morning. And, in his faithfulness God delivered.

I wish you could see the light this morning in my kitchen. The older three Littles are sleeping in (or playing XBox, I’m not quite sure) and Littlest is snuggled under her favorite blanket on my prayer couch. I’m writing this at my kitchen counter, taking a quick break from chopping potatoes for Gene Stallings Twice Baked Potatoes. The light is glorious. Heaven sent this morning to my weary soul.  Beautiful piano tunes from David Nevue‘s Adoration album fill the kitchen with a powdered sugar softness. With the sweet sound of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing gently lulling a still sleepy Littlest, I slipped outside to try (emphasis on TRY) and capture the morning dawn illuminating the fountains outside my kitchen window.

The photo doesn’t do the light justice. But this is the image of thankfulness imprinted on my heart today.

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of God’s unchanging love.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Love,