Lest we forget . . .Thanksgiving Lessons '22

Lest we forget why Thanksgiving was created in our Nation:

 It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged 

as with one heart and voice by the whole American people; I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in 

every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign 

lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and 

Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to

 them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and 

blessings, the do also, with humble penitence for our national  perverseness and disobedience, commend 

to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable 

civil strife in which we are  unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty

 hand to heal the wounds of  the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine 

purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union. (President Lincoln,10/3/1863)

I know we try to reset the original Thanksgiving in our Nation and make it seem all giddy and fashionable, but as we read from President Lincoln's writing in 1863, we can definitely look back at HIStory and get a better feel for a true-to-life Thanksgiving in 1863 . . . a day of Thanksgiving and prayer!

While we try to believe that all the European settlers were so friendly and hospitable to our Native Americans, facts tell us that was definitely not the case! While the First Nations were much more trusting and helpful, we now better know the HIStory of the settlers. By the way, we also know the meal was mainly venison, berries and squash! 

May I suggest that this week we reflect on pour Nation and its state at the end of the Civil War and now. May we too ask the Lord to forgive our "perverseness and disobedience" and ask His care for "those who have been hurt by our civl strife". May we implore His help and guidance to "heal our wounds and restore the Nation to be in line with His Divine purposes". 

I realize no President of the U.S. would let these kinds of words come from his or her mouth today, in fear of political correctness, but as you and I reflect and see how ridiculously repetitive we as a Nation have become, can we please humble ourselves and seek the Lord for healing . . . at least in our own small circles? We are yet at war . . . against the evil forces of Satan!