Day 3: Psalm 100:4

Scripture: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100: 4)              

How Great Thou Art

Back in the mid 1940’s, I was five years old, the third eldest of seven children. There were 14 of us gathered at our supper table, which included cousins, an aunt, and my grandmother. We all shared what we called everyday life on our 300-acre Wisconsin farm. My mother started each meal with “Bless Us Oh Lord…” which transitioned into stories of the day during hard times, but even then we always managed with laughter and joy in our hearts.

My parents raised the children along with sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, horses, and cows. They planted and harvested corn, barley, oats, and also a garden with all the vegetables and berries we needed to sustain us over the cold winter months. Being raised on the farm was a delight to me at this age, always exciting, playing games and working from sun-up to sundown.

Every Sunday, we would wake early, pile into the family Pontiac sedan, and head into town for Mass. Many summers after church we’d drive to Thielmann’s Market; mother got a few groceries, and we youngsters enjoyed an ice cream treat before heading home. Besides milking cows, work was forbidden, to honor the Sabbath. If fieldwork or maintenance were necessary, mother would then get permission from our Priest. I know our Christian upbringing had a great impact on our lives.

As I recall the quote, “A family that prays together, stays together,” I feel so fortunate our large family relationship still remains so close through the years. A great hymn comes to my mind with this blessing, “How Great Thou Art.”

Heavenly Father, increase our faith as we learn to trust You more with our concerns and needs. In Your Son’s Holy name we pray. Amen.

Contributed by Ron H