The Blessings That Remain

 

"And let the peace which comes from Christ rule in your hearts,
deciding and settling with finality all the questions that arise in your minds,
in that peaceful state to which as members of Christ's one body you were
called to live. And be thankful, giving praise to God always."
Colossians 3:15

Winter Cardinals On Goldenrod

Larry Zach

(2001)

There are loved ones who are missing

From the fireside and the feast;

There are faces that have vanished,

There are voices that have ceased;

But we know they passed forever

From our mortal grief and pain,

And we thank Thee, O our Father,

For the blessings that remain.

Thanksgiving, oh, Thanksgiving,

That their love once blessed us here,

That so long they walked beside us,

Sharing every smile and tear;

For the joy that past has brought us,

But can never take away,

For the sweet and gracious memories

Growing dearer every day,

For the faith that keeps us patient

Looking at the things unseen,

Knowing Spring shall follow Winter

And the earth again be green,

For the hope of that glad meeting

Far from mortal grief and pain-

We thank Thee, Oh our Father,

For the blessings that remain.

For the love that still is left us,

For the friends who hold us dear,

For the lives that yet may need us

For their guidance and their cheer,

For the work that waits are doing

For the help we can bestow,

For the care that watches o'er us

Wheresoe'er our steps may go.

For the simple joys of living,

For the sunshine and the breeze,

For the beauty of the flowers

And the laden orchard trees

For the night and for the starlight,

For the rainbow and the rain-

Thanksgiving, O, our Father,

For the blessings that remain.

"The Blessings That Remain"
Annie Johnson Flint
(1866-1932)
Prolific American hymn writer
and Christian poetess.