For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies — Christ our God, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon and starts of light — Christ our God, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

Granddaughter Margaret is learning to play this hymn right now, declaring it one of her favorites. She’s a diligent student, so I have no doubt she’ll be playing it fluidly very soon. I’m also extremely glad that she knows this hymn and loves it. Grateful praise. Beauty of the earth. And, right now, the summertime beauty of the earth is on full display, along with the bounty produced from gardens as a result of the sun and rain coming down from God, our Father.

Psalm 24: 1 – ” The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”

Psalm 23:2-3 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”

Genesis 1:31 – “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

I love a farmer’s market in the morning.

I love this display of blooming crepe myrtle trees showing out profusely beside the railroad tracks in Decatur, AL.

I love anticipating the taste of these vegetables and fruits I’ll prepare for our supper.

And, I love this most beautiful evidence of God’s love and provision He brought to our family — our newest grandchild, Baby Beatrix.

So, today I am singing my own “hymn of grateful praise.” I hope you’ll join me.

Thank you, Father, for this season of the year, for the beauty and bounty that comes with it. I thank you for the colors of the flowers and garden produce. I love the energy we feel from the sun and the cooling sensation of the rain. Most of all, I thank you for being the Creator and Giver of Life and for being so good to our family. Amen.