The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese - Spring Green, Wi.
We usually remember the first Thanksgiving as the Pilgrims celebrating and thanking God for His blessings during their very difficult beginnings here.
The first official Thanksgiving was proclaimed by George Washington as November 26, 1789. "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection, aid and favors."
Washington asked the people "to be devoted: to the service of that glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and glorious favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us."
The American Revolution was not fought for freedom from God but for freedom under God. How that has been interpreted in different ways by different people throughout the years.
Most of us have been horrified by the beheadings by Isis. It was not too difficult to realize that was probably just the beginning of the unbelievable hideous horrors. Our minds can't begin to think in the same directions as theirs. And in recent days we saw the blood baths in France. We all say, "It can happen here. It will happen here."
We would like to think that our government will protect us. But let's be realistic. This is a different war than those before.
Our nation has slipped so far away from what God created us to be. Today most of us sin openly and think nothing of it - no remorse, no asking for forgiveness. It has become so common that most don't label anything sin. We each have a right to do what we want!!!
I have never seen anything that convinces me that God has changed the rules!
But we do have an answer - there is hope! 2nd Chronicles 7:14 states " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
This Thanksgiving, can we each take time to look at our own life, our own relationship to God, and our own relationship to our country?
We can moan and groan-complain- or we can get on our knees or bow down and with humble heart truly count our blessings and give thanks and turn to our Maker for answers and hope.
We need to make every day of our lives one of THANKS GIVING!!