Millie’s Hymn

Thank you, Father, for touching me in so many different ways,
For the beauty of your perfect plan in nature, and morning haze
For naked branches reaching for Heaven on a crisp and sunny day
For life-giving breath I can see in the cold
For a heartbeat felt with a pace so bold

For a running body that all works together, in some miraculous way.

Thank you, Father, for touching me in quiet times you choose
Soft pastel light from stained-glass windows, playing on hair, skin and shoes
For sermons full of holy counsel to help my mind to move
For words and notes from rejoicing voices
That lift my soul to your heightened choices
For bathing peace and cleansing change, so I can be with you.

Thank you, Father, for touching me with husband and dear family
For the joy of being partner in your plan for genealogy
For those so close, blood of my blood, to share a common history
For growing experiences as we learn your way
Through work, hard times, laughter and play
For together times and times apart and even, yes, life’s mystery.

Thank you, Father, for blessing me with friends both far and near
For those who care to share life’s road, to share both joy and tear
So rich am I in fellowship, life’s burdens I can bear
For those my path has crossed and sided
In my need you have provided
To know “when two or more are gathered in your name” you hear.

Thank you, Father, for your Word, the book that tells the story
For pages, chapters, song and verse, history both glad and gory
That bring me back to wonder of your majesty and glory
For prophets gazing toward the blue
For Gospels stated four times true
For never giving up on me, my faithfulness you implore.

Thank you, Father, for your ultimate act to show me where you stand
For giving me a perfect gift, your gift of love in form of man
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and
A baby, boy, teacher, son, Jesus, light and truth and more
Prince of Peace, arrived on earth, for all, for rich and poor
God with us, you walked our earth leaving footprints in the sand

Now, Father, in my gratitude I walk this path again
To Calvary with Jesus, in hopes to share His pain
This Lenten trip, a privilege, a remembrance of my gain
It’s in His death and rising that I’ll be born anew
To know your love and do your work and spread the Good News too
My Lord’s no longer in the grave, now Heaven and earth He reigns!

Thank you, Father, for touching me so deep it’s hard to hide
For wiping clean my slate of hate and sin and pride
For leveling the whole world’s playing ground, on grace my life must ride
It’s Christ my King, my rudder true
My eyes are fixed alone on you
In love you hold my hand so tight my faith is satisfied!

— Millie Mielke