by Colleen Pruitt
March 23, 2015

Psalm 118:1: Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Johnny Appleseed Blessing
Oh, the Lord’s been good to me,
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed
The Lord’s been good to me.
Amen.

Each night before dinner, our family sings this short blessing.  Looking back, I cannot remember when we gave up “God our Father” for “Johnny Appleseed,” but it has become a favorite and a mainstay at our dining table.  Sometimes, just for the fun, the boys like to sing the blessing in different styles and accents, and if everyone is in an especially good mood, we might even shout “Amen” at the end or sing it an extra time.  It has become a habit and a happy ritual during the busyness of the evening hours. No matter what my day has been like or what is going in the world, this time with my family makes me stop and pause and give thanks.

This simple blessing serves as a daily reminder that we have all we need and that the Lord has been good to us. Not only is this something that I hope our boys carry with them in their own lives as they grow and eventually leave our table, but I hope that they will share the spirit of gratitude with everyone that they come in contact with.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed on me.  Help me to be thankful for what I have and allow me to use the gifts you have given me for good purpose and in your name. Help me to give thanks each and every day and share your joy with others. Amen