Gratitude-Quest...

Sometimes love's realities/cruelties/crossescould wake excuses that could make us bitter...Oh my Lord, may it never be!! Lest by bitterness betakenLest by prideful boast or greedLord, each day let me awakenTo Your mercy for my needLest in my pursuits of gladnessI, by reason of a foolMiss Your goodness, for the madnessOf Want without rod or rule Lest I trade eternal treasureAnd the blessing You bestowFor the very temp’ral pleasureOf a temporary showLord, each day let me awakenTo renewed awareness ofHope’s sweet confidence unshakenAnchored in grace, truth, and love Lest, by my impatient natureI demand what is not minePuffing up my puny statureIn the face of Grace DivineLest, by some distorted notionI perceive rather than trustAnd redirect my devotionFrom You to idols/merchants of dust Lest the lure of the beholdingBlinds me to Faith’s suretyLest the pace of grace unfoldingHeaven, is too hard for meLord, each day let me awakenSo that I am overtakenWith nothing, but gratitude © Janet Martin :15&31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!