341 - Thanksgiving Parable

Thanksgiving Parable
By Leon E. Hoch

I recall just yesterday-it seems,
The new year just awakened from its sleep
Threw back its cold white blanket
As the frozen ground grew soft.
And the clouds that hid the winter sky
Once again began to weep.

Then with the warm sun shining
Through the clouds that hid the blue,
A fresh new world of growing life appears,
God's gift of life returning.
From the old, is ever new,
As love will ever dry the wettest tears.

The spring is long behind us now,
The summer time has flown.
And autumn's chill foretells the winter snows.
Time now to thank our God above
For the nature that we use.
And to share the many blessings that providence bestows.

Leon E. Hoch is custodian of Speer Library, Princeton Theological Seminary. As he weaves his way through the book stacks, watching students, and attending to his duties, he makes up seasonal religious verse, copies of which he has printed and distributed among friends.