By M.J. Natali
Sarah Josepha Hale is best known for her book, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” But, did you know this American writer and editor is also behind the campaign to set the Thanksgiving Holiday as a set annual day? It’s true. The day of Thanksgiving was dying out.
Her hard efforts in writing letters to politicians succeeded, and in 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed a decree stating the third Thursday in November is to be a national holiday of Thanksgiving.
For later generations of Puritans, Thanksgiving was a day of fasting, prayer and giving thanks to God
-The history Channel
Back in 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians feasted for three days after the Pilgrims first successful harvest. They ate goose and lobster, not turkey. Today, we have one day of feasting and practically fast for two days from all the food we ate.
While Sarah and President Lincoln understood the benefit of an annual day of thanks, we should be thankful every day.
Every day we have something to be thankful for, and every day we should give thanks.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
I give thanks to the Lord every day in my prayers. I do my best to show my gratitude. I give him thanks to my enemies and those who hurt me, because they are also my teachers.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t think about him so much and I stopped praying for a while. For years I felt an emptiness in my heart which I couldn’t fill. It wasn’t until I started praying and thanking God, did that hole fill up. Like the song, he is the wing beneath my wings. I am truly grateful for all he does for me, and I thank him every day. Every day I feel his love for me, and it’s a love that has no limits. Gods love is the epitome of love, the kind we should all strive for.
Your Homework:
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to think about every little thing you are grateful for, and imagine your life without them. There is no purer love than the love God has for us. Remember to thank him for loving you for all you are: The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful.
Remember to also give thanks to those who hurt you, for they are also your teachers. Don’t for get your reading assignments below.
Read the following:
Psalms 92 1:5
Psalms 86 1:17
What are you thankful for? Share yours in the comments section below.
Spiritual Love Warrior 