On this day of giving thanks, for what, for whom do we give thanks? Is it a person or people; is it for health or wealth? What is it that causes you to give thanks? As you ponder that, let me give you some things that others have said about Thanksgiving.
“Let all of us …give thanks to God and prayerful contemplation of those eternal truths and universal principles of Holy Scripture which have inspired such measure of true greatness as this nation has achieved.” Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1956
“Let us observe this day with reverence and with prayer that will rekindle in us the will to show us the way not only to preserve our blessings, but also to extend them to the four corners of the earth.” JFK, 1961
“Let us …give thanks to God for his graciousness and generosity to us—pledge to him our everlasting devotion—beseech his divine guidance and the wisdom and strength to recognize and follow that guidance.” Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964
“It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens…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.” Abraham Lincoln, 1863
“There are three kinds of giving: grudge giving, duty giving, and thanks giving.” Robert Rodenmayer
“I give thanks in all my remembrance of you.” Apostle Paul, 1st Century A.D.
So, have you thought of what causes you to give thanks? Tell someone how you feel this week. Make every day a day of thanks giving in your life.
Shalom, Paul
Thanksgiving thoughts
