A Child’s Grace
My father was saying Grace one night.
I looked at our table, covered with food.
I was usually happy at dinnertime
but this time I fell into a serious mood.
He said, “Dear Lord, we humbly thank You
for nourishing our bodies with this meal”
but then he said “while some go without”
and I wasn’t sure just how I should feel.
“While some go without.”
The words rang in my ears.
I thought of what that meant
and my eyes filled with tears.
My mother noticed my sadness
and asked, “Honey, what’s wrong?”
But I had trouble finding words
for a feeling so strong.
Then I said, “Mama, I’m worried
I haven’t been thankful enough
for all the food on our table
and this house full of . . . stuff.”
She told me, “It’s okay, dear.
That means you have a good heart.
But to show God you’re thankful,
you just have to start.”
My father looked in my eyes,
smiled, stroked my hair,
and said, “God’s listening now.
Will you continue the prayer?”
It was a big night for a child,
moved by such a strange mood.
I wanted to show I was grateful
and for much more than food.
I said, “Thank You, dear God,
for peanut butter and jelly.
I’ve never known how it feels
to have no food for my belly.”
I said, “Thank You for my life
And for my little brother.
Thank You for my home,
and my father and mother.”
“Thank You for water.
Thank You for fish.
Thank You for the ability
to dream and to wish.”
“Thank You for my family
and all our pleasures and joys.
Thank You for my bicycle
and all my other toys.”
Thank You for fruit,
for honey and bread.
Thank You for the fantasies
that dance in my head.”
“Thank You for my books
and the adventures they hold.
Thank You for creativity
and tales yet to be told.”
“Thank You for my health
to walk, run and play.
Thank You for my parents
who show me Your way.”
My brother kept peeking,
worried I’d talk until dawn.
The list of my blessings
just went on and on!
I thanked God for the TV!
I thanked God for the phone!
I thanked God for everything
I was so lucky to own.
I just kept on thanking
and when I was done,
I’d said thank you for
everything under the sun.
For beaches and mountains,
for flowers and trees,
for dogs and dandelions,
for bunnies and bees.
For rainbows and kites,
for clouds and warm sun
for endless summer days
devoted only to fun.
For school and for teachers,
for all the lessons I’d learned.
I thought I’d covered it all
and left no stone unturned.
But I still wasn’t satisfied.
Something still wasn’t right.
We all sat in the silence
and I closed my eyes tight.
Then I found what was missing
and said one more prayer . . .
“Please, Lord, give all I have
to poorer kids everywhere.”
And with those last words,
a great peace filled the room
and a sweet scent flooded in
like a meadow in bloom.
Everyone could feel . . . something,
even my little brother.
“That was beautiful,” said father.
“I’m so proud of you,” said mother.
In giving thanks for my blessings,
I felt God’s loving embrace,
but when I wished for others
I discovered true Grace.
We were all hungry by then
and our dinners were cold
but how full and how warm
were my heart and my soul.
Mark Rickerby (c) 2015
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