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These Are The Gifts
There are many gifts in life that we may overlook because they do not come wrapped in paper or tied with a ribbon. A beautiful day, the strength to face a difficult task, the encouragement of a friend, and the peace we find in God's presence are gifts that can mean far more than anything money could buy.
In These Are The Gifts, Henry Van Dyke reflects on the things he asks of God: strength for the work before him, courage for the road he must travel, good cheer, and an inward joy. His words remind us that some of life's greatest blessings are the ones that help us live each day with faith, gratitude, and contentment.
Van Dyke also writes about the simple beauty surrounding us: blue skies, quiet hills, forests, grass, birds, flowing water, flowers, friendship, and laughter. These everyday blessings are easy to take for granted, yet when we stop long enough to notice them, we realize just how much we have been given.
This inspiring poem encourages us to appreciate what God has placed before us and to ask for the strength and wisdom to use our days well. May Van Dyke's words remind you to notice the blessings that are already part of your life and to be thankful for the gifts, both large and small, that each new day brings.
Updated September 22, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
These Are The Gifts
Poet: Henry VanDyke
These are the gifts I ask
Of thee, Spirit serene:
Strength for the daily task,
Courage to face the road,
Good cheer to help me bear the traveller's load,
And, for the hours of rest that come between,
An inward joy in all things heard and seen.
These are the sins I fain
Would have thee take away:
Malice, and cold disdain,
Hot anger, sullen hate,
Scorn of the lowly, envy of the great,
And discontent that casts a shadow gray
On all the brightness of the common day.
These are the things I prize
And hold of dearest worth:
Light of the sapphire skies,
Peace of the silent hills,
Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass,
Music of birds, murmur of little rills,
Shadow of clouds that swiftly pass,
And, after showers,
The smell of flowers
And of the good brown earth,—
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.
So let me keep
These treasures of the humble heart
In true possession, owning them by love;
And when at last I can no longer move
Among them freely, but must part
From the green fields and from the waters clear,
Let me not creep
Into some darkened room and hide
From all that makes the world so bright and dear;
But throw the windows wide
To welcome in the light;
And while I clasp a well-beloved hand,
Let me once more have sight
Of the deep sky and the far-smiling land,—
Then gently fall on sleep,
And breathe my body back to Nature's care,
My spirit out to thee, God of the open air.
Key Reflections In This Poem
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Strength For Each Day
Van Dyke does not ask for a life without responsibilities or difficulties. Instead, he asks for the strength and courage needed to face the work and road before him.
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Joy Can Be Found In Simple Things
Blue skies, quiet hills, birds, flowers, and the earth itself become treasures when we take time to appreciate them. The poem reminds us that some of life's richest blessings are found in ordinary moments.
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We Can Let Go Of What Darkens Life
The poet asks to be freed from anger, malice, envy, and discontent. His words remind us that what we carry within our hearts can influence how we see the world around us.
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Friendship Is One Of Life's Treasures
Among all the beauty Van Dyke celebrates, he gives a special place to friendship and laughter. The people who share our journey can be among the greatest gifts we receive.
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Live With A Grateful Heart
The poem encourages us to recognize and treasure the blessings that surround us while we have them. Gratitude helps us see that even an ordinary day can hold much for which to be thankful.
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Conclusion
These Are The Gifts reminds us that we do not have to look far to find reasons to be thankful. Strength for today's work, courage for the road ahead, moments of rest, the beauty of nature, and the companionship of good friends are blessings that can easily be overlooked when life becomes busy.
I especially like the way Van Dyke asks not for an easier road, but for what he needs to travel it well. There will always be days when we face responsibilities, disappointments, or uncertainty. Yet faith can give us courage to keep going, while gratitude helps us recognize that difficult days can still contain moments of goodness.
May this poem encourage you to notice the gifts that are already around you. Look at the sky, listen to the birds, appreciate a friend's laughter, and be thankful for the strength that carries you through another day. Sometimes the greatest gifts are not the ones we can hold in our hands, but the ones we carry quietly in our hearts.