Mrs. Sarah Hale is known for two things.
First, she is the
lady who wrote, "Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow,
and everywhere that Mary went ...." Well, you already know the rest of
that story, so I don't have to go into detail.
But Sarah Hale is
also the lady who, in 1828, began a crusade to make Thanksgiving as part
of our national festivities.
She noted the pilgrims had offered
thanks, but the custom never continued, not officially. Then, after the
Revolution, Washington had called for a day of public thanks, but the
official day was done away with by Thomas Jefferson, who called it a
"kingly practice."
Although Mrs. Hale knew that many, maybe, even
most, people gave thanks to the Lord, she still thought it proper that
our nation do the same. To that end she begged, pleaded and encouraged.
In response the nation's leaders said she was "naive," "impractical,"
"impossible."
Hale kept hitting a brick wall until Lincoln put
the day on our calendar. Still, it took 80 years for Congress to
officially approve the idea.
It all goes to show that nations,
especially rich nations, like to reserve their applause for themselves.
Paul described such peoples when he wrote to Timothy.
You can see
his words above. It is not a pleasant listing.
In contrast,
Christians should be different. Indeed, God's people should be lean,
mean, thanksgiving machines. They who remembered they once were lost,
helpless, doomed and damned know they should gladly and gratefully offer
appreciation to the Lord for the gift of His blood-bought forgiveness
and salvation.
Almost as importantly, they should be appreciative
of those physical gifts that God bestows, but which often go
unrecognized and unapplauded.
That way, if their nation gives
thanks -- wonderful -- and if their nation does not God will still know
there are hearts down there who have not forgotten Him, His blessings
and His bounty.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, no matter what the world,
my country or others may do, grant that I have a thankful heart. Make me
grateful for gifts both spiritual and physical. This I pray in the Name
of Your Son, my Savior: my cause for thanksgiving. Amen.
Pastor
Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries
All rights reserved; not to be duplicated
without permission.
Gratitude Attitude
Today's Bible Verse:
"But understand this; that in the last days there will come times of
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud,
arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not
loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit." (2 Timothy
3:1-4)
Gratitude Attitude
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