Thanksgiving thoughts

Once when my feet were bare, and I had not the means of obtaining shoes I came to the chief of Kufah,  in a state of much dejection, and saw a man  there who had no feet.  I returned thanks to God and acknowledged his mercies, and endured my want for shoes with patience. -Sadi-

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation(from the collection of Lincoln's papers in the Library of America series, Vol II, pp. 520-521).

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. 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 Praise 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, they 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. It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

- Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1863

I so often with my schedule and things to do get caught up with in preparation and anticipation of spending time with family and friends.  We laugh, share jokes, reflect back on fond memories and of course enjoy the food. After the craziness of the busy Thanksgiving day with family and friends we say our see you later or good-by and we go our different ways and life slows down.  The laughter and excitement  of children playing outside of the meal. The men after the Thanksgiving dinner fight to  find the most comfortable seat to watch football. The women catch up with each other in preparing the meals or washing the dishes after everyone's tummy is full.  These things were happening just several hours ago now I find myself in a still quiet place reflecting back on the day.   During those quiet times I often feel that I do not take the time to give thanks to God for all the blessings and feel that my heart and eyes are not open to showing the love and compassion that Christ Jesus demonstrated on the cross.  I am approaching this year with the changing colors of the leaves and this season with a different perspective.  I will open my heart and give thanks to God and make the time for God.

Kirk