I'll never forget the day that this song was introduced to me. We were adding new songs to our chorus book at church. There was a couple who'd started attending after relocating from out of state. They had a few songs that they particularly loved from their former church. I knew a couple of them but this one I was unfamiliar with. Sis. Monroe offered to teach it to me but the catch? She was tone deaf. She would try to sing a phrase and I would play it back. She would tell me whether I needed to go up or down on particular words/notes.
My shirt was soaked with perspiration by the time we got to the end. But the result was this beautiful song that fast became a favorite. We might have re-written part of it because I have never found these exact verses or the tune anywhere. But it has blessed me many times over the years and God's presence would certainly come and hover over a particular little chapel in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, whenever we sang it. I can still hear my parent's voices with Dad raspily belting out the melody and Mom's loud but steady alto joining in.
Just want to tell You I'm thankful for all that You have done;
For the stars and the moonlight and the setting sun;
And when my work on earth is through, I'm coming home to be with You;
Just want to tell you I'm thankful, that's all.
I'm even thankful for the trials that You send from day to day;
For they mellow my spirit and teach me how to pray;
Let me cling a little closer to Thee lest I fall;
Just want to tell you I'm thankful, that's all.
Just want to tell You I'm thankful each moment of the day;
For You never cease to love me or hear me when I pray;
And when I find it hard to stand, You're there to lend a helping hand;
Just want to tell you I'm thankful, that's all.
I'm even thankful for the times when Your Word has pierced my heart;
Showing all those imperfections from which I must depart;
And if I love you first and always, You won't let me fall;
Just want to tell you I'm thankful, that's all.
Just want to tell you I'm thankful, that's all.
