thank You, Lord, for boon companions
for the steady warmth of friends
standing right up close beside
when dark and night and storm descend
thank You, Lord, for this tight cord
bound close together, stronger still
this celebration long in coming
with full-up hearts, we praise Your will
how high and terrible that mountain
and how we trembled as we climbed
believing strong without the when
we’d leave those awful heights behind
and oh how sweet this fellowship
how sweet the breaking of this bread
how sweet to gather, full of wonder
as we look back and look ahead
as we laugh long and hard and frequent
and we remember and we cry
chock-full of joy and grateful spirits
we lift and lift and lift You high
thank You for choosing in the showing
of both the care and deep concern
of dearest friends full of Your nature
that Your outline we can learn
i see You there in how she’s trusting
in his long-suffering, glimpse Your face
catch Your reflection as he's serving
sense Your warmth in her embrace
i feel Your hand inside of hers
as she grabs tight and pulls me on
i hear Your voice in his good counsel
Your comfort flows through these arms strong
thank You, Lord, for these Your children
these my siblings, these Your saints
for every time they gathered close
when our knees bent, with our hearts faint
thank You for this good community
this gathering of friends
who walk the twisting, winding road with us
and watch for where it ends
thanks for this long-sought communion
this wild feast full of delights
for Your amazing grace displayed
a memory now, those long, long nights
thank You for this cloud of witnesses
both here and gone before
in terms of partners on the trail
i could not ask for any more
I felt your heartbeat as I read this. So grateful, as looking back you see the love and strength of the body of Christ at work.