I wonder how many times we gather together on this day just for fun and a very large meal (turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes in some form, rolls or cornbread, and much more) without really thinking about just how much we have to be truly grateful for.
I am grateful that we still have the freedom to celebrate days such as Thanksgiving freely and openly
I am thankful for my family (these two words really aren't adequate for the blessing I have in my family), my friends, my church, my job, my pets, the ability to read and write, good books, the ability to crochet, eyesight, hearing, God's beautiful creation, seasons, textures, colors, the joy Jesus gives, the character of God (forgiveness, patience, love, gentleness, faithfulness, etc.), and the list could go on and on.
What things do you have to be thankful for? Perhaps something that you often take for granted. If you know the Lord as your Savior stop and thank Him for His bountiful goodness.
Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to
acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be
grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and
favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint
Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a
day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging
with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially
by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of
government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday
the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these
States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the
beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be--
That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble
thanks--for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country
previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold
mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence which we
experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great
degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since
enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been
enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and
happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for
the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means
we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for
all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer
upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly
offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of
Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other
transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private
stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the
people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and
constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to
protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have
shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace,
and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and
virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to
grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone
knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington
