With all that is going on in the world, and in individual lives, what a blessing it is to gather in the sanctuary at Belmont each week and let God remind us of things that good, true, and beautiful.
In this morning's devotional, high school students recited the beloved poem "I Thank Thee, God, That I Have Lived" by Elizabeth Craven (see full text after the video). Following the poem, Mr. Cahoon, Belmont choir director, sang Savior, Redeemer of My Soul. Many thanks to the high school students and to Mr. Cahoon.
Scroll down for both devotional videos.
I Thank Thee God, That I Have Lived
Elizabeth Craven
I thank thee God, that I have lived
In this great world and known its many joys:
The songs of birds, the strongest sweet scent of hay,
And cooling breezes in the secret dusk;
The flaming sunsets at the close of day,
Hills and the lovely, heather-covered moors;
Music at night, and the moonlight on the sea,
The beat of waves upon the rocky shore
And wild white spray, flung high in ecstasy;
The faithful eyes of dogs, and treasured books,
The love of Kin and fellowship of friends
And all that makes life dear and beautiful.
I thank Thee too, that there has come to me
A little sorrow and sometimes defeat,
A little heartache and the loneliness
That comes with parting and the words ‘Good-bye’;
Dawn breaking after weary hours of pain,
When I discovered that night’s gloom must yield
And morning light break through to me again.
Because of these and other blessings poured
Unasked upon my wondering head,
Because I know that there is yet to come
An even richer and more glorious life,
And most of all, because Thine only Son
Once sacrificed life’s loveliness for me,
I thank Thee, God, that I have lived.