“O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves, thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee

• ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
• ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
• ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;

• for the body thou hast given me,
• for preserving its strength and vigor,
• for providing senses to enjoy delights,
• for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
• for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
• for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
• for a full table and overflowing cup,
• for appetite, taste, sweetness,
• for social joys of relatives and friends,
• for ability to serve others,
• for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
• for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
• for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
• for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
• for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.”

~ The Valley of Vision