In 1789, President George Washington set aside November 26 as "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God..." The day now filled with floats, balloons, and marching bands (that's for Katie) in the Macy's Day Parade or with football, followed by football, followed by football. The day filled with food, and more food, and the ever-popular leftover turkey and mayo on white bead with the slice of pumpkin pie eaten directly from the pan. A day for travel and family and celebration and even for remorse. A day for giving thanks.
In Psalm 100, we are instructed to "enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." A verse earlier we are given the why to our thanksgiving, "the Lord, he is God. It is he who made us and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." The psalm concludes with the promise that "his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations."
I pray for each of us this season a time of rest and a time of celebration with family and friends. I pray for the fellowship around the table and the laughter that warms the home. More than anything else, I pray we all stop and reflect on the goodness and the love of God, shown to us in such a myriad of ways. Amidst all the activity of the season, let us stop and give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and to yours!
Thom