Critter Crossing Chronicles
The land of good and plenty
By WALT MERTENS

Compared to most of the world, we Americans live in a land of good and plenty - some in the lap of luxury. How thankful are we? Do we take it for granted? Or, is our heart overflowing with gratitude? Do we live every day with an attitude of gratitude? Or, do we live everyday with an "attitude?" Who do we praise and thank for all we have in this "land of good and plenty?" Or, do we?

"Look at the very birds on earth - how they shame us! Dear little creatures, if you watch them when they are singing, you will sometimes wonder how so much sound can come out of such diminutive bodies. How they throw their whole selves into the music, and seem to melt themselves away in song! How the wing vibrates, the throat pulsates, and every part of their body rejoices to assist the strain! This is the way in which we ought to praise God." (Charles Spurgeon)

Where did "plenty' come from? Who made the seeds that would be sown/planted into the soil? Who caused those seeds to grow up- to push through ground toward sunlight and to spread roots that would soak up water and anchor the plant or tree while it grows to maturity; producing a great harvest of grain, vegetables and fruit necessary to sustain life?

How often do we consider the plight of the farmer who labors daily in the fields to tend the crops and gather the harvest? How about the dairy farmers (that is close to my heart), who are up and out to milk the cows, no matter how harsh the weather? The cattle farmers - working by the sweat of their brows - "making hay while the sun shines." God made the animals but He gave

man dominion over them. Man has a God-given responsibility toward the animals that God made after their kind on the 6th day of creation. Each day of creation, "God said": "Let there be"...Light, water,...and it was!! He spoke it all into being! On the 3rd day, He created vegetation, herb, and fruit trees whose seed was in itself after its kind. To be blunt: We don't see bananas growing on apple trees. God made everything after its kind and "God saw everything that He hath made, and, behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31. And, may I say that it was "plenty?"

We see in America, it has been "good and plenty." Are we taking all that He spoke into being for granted? Including each other? For, on the 6th day, God made man AFTER He made all the provisions to sustain man. Yes, in the beginning, God

brought order out of chaos. Today, man is making chaos out of God's order. What possible good could come from that? How long will we be a land of good and plenty if we take it all for granted and turn our back - forget the One who blessed this land from sea to shining sea? "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." ( Psalm 9:17)

When our National day of Thanksgiving comes, will we gobble together with little or no thought of God - burp and watch T.V while "someone" cleans up the mess? Or, will we rather gather together - pause and give thanks and praise to God from whom all blessings flow? For our family, friends, bounteous food, country and for Jesus, our Blessed Saviour. It is He who planted you and me in America - "Sweet land of Liberty;" thisland of good and plenty.

Have a GOOD DAY.