Uncertainty & Wildflowers
The year was 1863. In America, the Civil War was in full swing with families torn apart and people like Harriet Tubman sneaking through fields and rivers, risking their lives to help.
Across the Atlantic, lingering dread filled the air as scarlet fever took 30,000 lives across England.
And up on a hilltop outside the town of Bath, 28 year old Mr. Pierpoint sat watching the waving wildflowers. It was spring and River Avon sparkled as it ran past.
Ah! The sight was inspiring, a breath of fresh air.
He thought of the mercy of God's creation before him, and the words started to form…
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 Lord, to thee we raise; This our sacrifice of praise.
And then…
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light.
Christ, our Lord, to thee we raise; This our sacrifice of praise.
He was an Anglican poet, weaving the beauty and gratitude and grace all together for others to consider as well. The words eventually formed a hymn, frequently accompanying the Lord's Supper.
The year is 2024. Back over in America, there is turmoil and uncertainty. There always will be here on earth. I sit by a stream where my children play, wildflowers all around. I think of the words to this hymn, not knowing anything about its history or writer, only that it seemed apt in the moment as I'm thankful for God's gift of nature around us. I hope that would make Mr. Pierpoint glad to know.
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH,
by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint, 1863
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Refrain:
Christ, our Lord, to you 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 stars of light, [Refrain ]
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain]
For yourself, best gift divine,
to the world so freely given,
agent of God's grand design:
peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain]
