The Thanksgiving Day Quotemeal email I got from Heartlight.org was a wonderful quote by Henry Ward Beecher, a mid-nineteenth century clergyman:
Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
As I read it, a poem started to form in my mind so I thought I flesh it out for today’s post.
The Root of Thanksgiving
Seeing his co-worker get a promotion
Mr. Proud is angry and unhappy
thinking the promotion should be his
Never thankful for the job he has
Seeing his co-worker get a promotion
Mr. Humble rejoices with him
believing his day will come
Always thankful for the job he has
Seeing his neighbor drive a new car
Mr. Proud swears at his old truck
sure he should have a new BMW by now
Never thankful that he doesn’t ride the bus
Seeing his neighbor drive a new car
Mr. Humble smiles as he starts his old beater
knowing it will get him to his destination
Always thankful that it is his free and clear
Seeing fat cats on Wall Street and CEOs
rake in the dough, Mr. Proud is indignant
certain their wealth should be spread around
Never thankful for the blessings he has
Seeing fat cats on Wall Street and CEOs
rake in the dough, Mr. Humble is saddened
confident they don’t have the peace of the Lord
Always thankful that money doesn’t define him
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV).