As we gear up for turkey and all the fixings, surrounded by friends and family, I'm reminded of a powerful moment in American history: President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Yep, even smack-dab in the middle of the Civil War, when the country was more divided than ever, Lincoln called for a national day of thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. He knew a grateful nation was a strong nation and recognizing blessings can bring us together. Here's a snippet from that proclamation: “I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States... 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...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...and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation..." Let's face it, life ain't always easy. We still face division and struggles. But Thanksgiving is a chance to hit the reset button and focus on gratitude. It's a reminder that even when things feel broken, we have a God who is steadfast and good. Just like Lincoln urged folks to pray back in '63, we can also turn to the Lord for healing and unity. Check out 1 Chronicles 16:34-36: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever...Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said ‘Amen’ and ‘Praise the LORD.’†From my family to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving, ChumCity!Happy Thanksgiving, ChumCity!
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Wishing You All the Best
