As I consider Thanksgiving once again this year, and as I ponder all of the things that I am grateful for in my life it struck me as interesting when I remembered when Thanksgiving actually became an official federal holiday in the Untied States. Most people would assume that first thanksgiving at Plymouth rock when the Indians and the colonists enjoyed a multi-day feast together was the beginning of this holiday but this is not true. Although it may have been celebrated in homes across the nation it was not recognized on a national level until 1863. Abraham Lincoln declared a day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on the last Thursday of the month of November. Now let’s not forget the time period here. This was at the height of the Civil War, the bloodiest war in U.S. history. When parents were mourning the loss of their sons and farmers the destruction of their fields Lincoln stressed the need to be grateful. In fact, he even wrote a long address highlighting all of the reasons for the nation to be thankful.
It is very easy for us to inventory all of our problems. In fact, if you are like me your problems occupy your mind most of the time. But Lincoln, on that very first official thanksgiving, in the midst of havoc and devastation all around exemplified what I believe thanksgiving to be all about. It’s not just about being thankful for all of the blessings and good things in our lives. It’s about understanding that gratitude and thanksgiving are strong medicine for our souls. It is not just a passive response to what has already happened but it is a proactive approach to life in times of plenty and in times of want.
So this thanksgiving, as an imperfect person with an imperfect life I am trying to be grateful for what I do have. I thank God for my wonderful wife whom I love dearly, My beautiful cat and the opportunity to do the kind of work and ministry that I am passionate about.
Maybe you can’t think of one good thing to be thankful for. Maybe your life is full of problems. Be grateful anyway. For the simple things, the breath in your lungs, the clothes on your back. I know it sounds counter intuitive but being grateful is like applying a healing ointment to your wounded soul. Try it. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and James 1:2. Be thankful in all things and count it all joy. Why? Because there is someone greater than you out there who has everything under control and who only wants the best for you.
Marielena and I are continuing to enjoy our time here in the states. We have been here for almost three weeks already. God has opened the doors fop us to speak in churches in Illinois and Oklahoma. We are very grateful for the opportunities we have been given to share our vision and passion for what He is using us to do in Panama. We are continuing to develop of a team of partners who are standing with us both in prayer and with financial support.
We are spending thanksgiving here with my mother, stepfather and brother in Florida. We are having a wonderful time. On Monday we’ll be off to Arizona for two and a half weeks and then on to Pennsylvania and New York states. We hope to see as many of you as we can!! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel. It is our sincere desire that you enjoy your thanksgiving feast of food, family and friends. And please remember, to tell the ones you love how thankful you are that they are in your life.
