Thursday; November 22

          While days of Thanksgiving had been celebrated around the nation for almost a century, it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln sought to make it a national holiday.  In his proclamation, President Lincoln reflected on the gracious gifts from God, then stated, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”  This statement, in-and-of-itself, is challenging; but it’s true power comes to light considering what was happening on the North American continent in 1863.  In the midst of an uncivil war, Americans were called to collectively offer thanks to God.
          As we stop to celebrate Thanksgiving 2018 I encourage us to revisit its original principle – not just offering thanks to God, but in unifying to offer thanks to God.   If for no longer than a day, let’s set aside the differences that divide us as factions of people or arguments that have alienated us as individuals so that we can come together to express our thanksgiving for all we have been given.  We have been blessed by God, we have received an incredible inheritance from our national and spiritual forefathers and we benefit each and every day from a wealth of diversity that we have in our nation.  For this one day, let’s set aside our legitimate issues and our petty problems in an effort to come together in a peace brought about by prosperity.  Who knows, maybe if we unite for this one day, it will begin the inertia we need to live in peace with one another and love one enough to permanently set aside all of things that divide us.
          Happy Thanksgiving!
          Think About It!

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