Lovely To Be Thy Guest

The suitcases are still loaded in the back of van, a bounty of clothes carelessly stashed inside, waiting another day to be washed. Green, reusable Hy-Vee bags stuffed with shoes, diapers, and sippy cups litter the upstairs hallway. The van, well, the van is cluttered with banana chips, goldfish crackers, and "cookie crackers" smashed into the floor; all remnants of our trip. Though our family has physically returned from our visit with our dear friends in Chesterton, Indiana, I want to deny for a little while longer that we are actually home, opting to treasure the sounds lingering in my mind of laughing adults and children reunited; heartfelt conversations and the being surrounded by those who love me and my family. Thank you all for always making us feel at home in your home. It was lovely being your guests.

Glory to Thee for calling me into being.

Glory to Thee, showing me the beauty of the universe.

Glory to Thee, spreading out before me heaven and earth,

like pages in a book of eternal wisdom.

Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting world.

Glory to Thee for Thy mercies, seen and unseen.

Glory to Thee for every step of my life's journey,

For every moment of glory,

Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age.

O Lord, how lovely it is to be Thy guest. Breezes full of scents; mountains reaching to the skies; waters like boundless mirrors, reflecting the sun's golden rays and scudding clouds: all nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing the depth of Thy tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Thy love. Blessed are thou, mother earth, in thy fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last for ever, in the land where amid beauty that grows not old, the cry rings out: Alleluia!

Thou hast brought me into life as into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. Very well can we live on Thine earth: it is a pleasure to be Thy guest.

Glory to Thee for the Feast Day of life.

Glory to Thee for the perfume of lilies and roses,

Glory to Thee for each different taste of berry and fruit,

Glory to Thee for the sparkling silver and early morning dew,

Glory to Thee for the joy of dawn's awakening,

Glory to Thee for the new life each day brings,

Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age.

How glorious are Thou in the springtime, when every creature awakens to new life and joyfully sings Thy praises with a thousand tongues. Thou are the Source of Life and the Destroyer of Death. By the light of the moon, nightingales sing, and the valleys and hills lie like wedding garments, white as snow. All the earth is Thy promised bride awaiting her spotless husband. If the grass of the field is like this in glory, how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the Second Coming after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, how spotless our souls!

Glory to Thee, bringing from the depth of the earth

An endless variety of colors, tastes and scents,

Glory to Thee for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature, 

Glory to Thee for the numberless creatures around us,

Glory to Thee for the depths of Thy wisdom, the whole world a living

sign of  it.

Glory to Thee: on my knees, I kiss the traces of Thine unseen hand,

Glory to Thee, enlightening us with the clearness of eternal life,

imperishable beauty of immortality,

Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age.

I see Thy heavens resplendent with stars. Radiant with light, how glorious Thou art! Eternity watches me by the rays of the distant stars. I am small, insignificant, but the Lord is at my side. Thy right arm guides me wherever I go.

Glory to Thee, ceaselessly watching over me,

Glory to Thee for the encounters Thou dost arrange for me,

Glory to Thee for the love of parents,

For the faithfulness of friends,

Glory to Thee for the humbleness of the animals which serve me,

Glory to Thee for the unforgettable moments of life,

Glory to Thee for the heart's innocent joy,

Glory to Thee for the joy of living, and moving,

and being able to return Thy love

Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age.