Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a day which we should all have in our hearts every day. Praise and giving thanks to God for each day of life is something that should be a daily part of our routine. However, since there is a day set aside for "Thanks"giving, I want to focus on this day.

The "first Thanksgiving" (although it wasn't repeated each year thereafter until President Abraham Lincoln declared it in 1863) was celebrated in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the neighboring Wampanoag trial celebrated the harvest for the upcoming winter and a kill of enough food to last a week and enough harvest to get through the winter.

It was later followed by a christian group of pilgrims (formally known as Separatists) declaring a day of "Thanksgiving and Praise in response to evidence of God's favor..."

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a National Holiday to be celebrated the last Thursday of November. But it wasn't made official until Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date as the last Thursday of November in 1941 and it was approved.

George Washington issued a proclomation for Thanksgiving ( each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclomation) declaring a day to be set aside for Thanksgiving which should be "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God."

It is meant to be a time to set aside to thank God for His bountiful blessings in our life. It is a day to focus on all God has provided for us in our lives. Our family, friends, clothes, food, homes, health, Nation, etc...

However, the meaning has been stripped away from this day, entirely. We now focus on the menu, where we will hold the gathering for the meal, over stuffing our bellies (I admit...a fun part), watching the parade, watching football; and some of us while drinking our alcoholic beverages to an excess and then passing out without the first thought of THANKS in our heart.

Then there will more than likely be drama in most household's because either:
A. The turkey will overcook and ruin the chef's mood.
B. The toilet may overflow and flood the house.
C. Aunt Jane Doe will have an attitude problem and get mad about where Thanksgiving is held this year and more than likely not show up.
D. Cousin Janette Doe will arrive unwillingly and sit in the corner with her I-pod stuck in her ears, not speaking to anyone.
E. Little Janette Doette will fall while running and bust her lip, blaming it on John Doe, who will blame it on Jonathan Doe.
F. Uncle Billy will be that person drinking in excess and proceed with foul language and aggravating the kids.
G. Grandma will arrive mad because she wasn't asked to bring her sweet potato pie this year, but instead Great Aunt Gertrude was asked.
(Names have been changed in the Drama Scenario...however, situations are real and have either occured this week or will occur tomorrow)
And so on...

It really is a shame how entitled we all think we really are that we make this about ourselves and not what it really is all about. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This of course, mean every day.

However, I think this verse needs to remain in our hearts for tomorrow (a.k.a Thanksgiving). Instead of focusing on what we want, lets focus on what we have. Lifting our thanks and praise to God for all He has given us. A free country, another day of life, the clothes on our back, and the food on the table.

I know I am thankful that this country was founded on Christian values and principles. I am thankful that I am free to worship (and blog) for my Lord. May we too remember our troops who can't be home...continuing to fight for us.

Let us also honor our heritage.

I pray that tomorrow you wake up with a grateful attitude and loving spirit. I pray "thanks" will be on your lips and love in your heart. Happy Thanksgiving, remember what it is all about.

God Bless!!!

(Info gathered from History.com, si.edu, and religionfacts.com)
(Go to www.sheseeks.org to read a great post on how to get past all the drama)