“The world is shot through with God’s goodness and grandeur, beauty, and love. Notice it, call attention to it, bring it to places where it is missing.” (Mary Stommes, Give Us This Day)
Each year I create a calendar with my favorite images of the previous year. In the last couple years, I have attached one of my favorite quotations of the previous year to each photograph. This is the calendar page for July 2017.
I am now completing two years of writing this blog, wondering if it’s time to bring it to a close. The purpose for which I began this writing seems to have shifted or is no longer clear to me. I find that most weeks I don’t have anything “inspiring” to say. I know that many of you are reading my posts, but I know of only one reader who would truly miss my blog.
And then, I turned the calendar page yesterday and found the quotation by Mary Stommes. This is a clear purpose for “Reflections from My Lanai”. With my photographs and writing I want to: 1) call attention to God’s goodness, grandeur, beauty, and love; and 2) bring God’s love to places where it is missing. And so, with thanks for Mary Stomme, I am committing to this blog for another year.
As we prepare for the celebration of our nation’s independence, I would like to share with you my favorite patriotic hymn: “This is My Song”.
This is My Song is a 1934 hymn written by Lloyd Stone (1912-1993) using the Finlandia Hymn melody composed by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). It often appears in hymnals with substituted and additional verses by various composers, including Georgia Harkness (1891-1974). It is sometimes called A Song of Peace, which is taken from the second line of the song.
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
For an uplifting and inspirational performance of This Is My Song, go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OxSYe8_e4Y
Happy 4th of July!
I’m thanking Mary Stommes too Doris. You write about your thoughts so beautifully, sharing what many others seem unable to do. Like me. We need/want to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much. Love, Linda
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Linda, thank you for your kind words and ever-present support. Thank you for being a faith-filled reader.
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Thank you Doris – your thoughts and photographs and the prayers and music you include are so appreciated – I always read your entries even though I rarely comment – I think there are many others like me. I am so glad you are going to continue! In gratitude, Diane
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Thank you, Diane, for the encouraging words. I believe that others would also benefit from your words of wisdom and experiences. Thanks for making this connection.
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Thank you for opting to continue your blog. Although I do not comment often, I read and pray every blog.
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Sr. Yvette, your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated. Any progress on your own blog? 🙂
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We don’t always know why we do certain things in life Doris although I like to think it could the Holy Spirit moving through us – through you. And we certainly do not always see the results of our actions but I often hope that my failure to act does not send a soul in the wrong direction, particularly one that I was meant to save. You are listend to and read my dear friend and you images bring me peace!
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My dear friend Greg, your words touched my heart. It is wonderful to hear from you. Equally wonderful is your message. Thank you. Hope you and the family are well. Doris 🙂
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