Thanksgiving Thoughts with Jimboy

Tomorrow we will gather for Thanksgiving, a favorite holiday for most of us and one that is worthy in every way. It is appropriate for us to acknowledge the role that a very special woman played in this holiday and remember to be thankful for her dedication and inspiration.

In the early 19th century, few states had an official day of thanks in their calendars. Sarah Josepha Hale (an influential and articulate author) thought this was unfortunate and should be changed. She passionately believed that our young nation should be unified in its appreciation of God’s blessings, it was the right thing to do. She started her advocacy for a national holiday in 1846 and worked tirelessly for 17 years writing pamphlets, newspaper articles, and letters to countless politicians including five United States Presidents.

Her efforts finally paid off in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln was convinced by her letter to support legislation for a national day of thanksgiving and earning for herself the unofficial title of “The Mother of Thanksgiving.”

When we consider how good God is, we should be like Sarah.. but often we forget. We are often tempted to look at what we don’t have instead of what we have… but I hope that you will work hard to change that.

Become the kind of girl that you are when you are at camp. Always considerate of others and grateful for what you have. I hope that you will always embrace the truth found in that little saying that ends our last Breakfast Club:

“Wherever you may wander, whatever be your goal; Keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole!”

So on this day let’s remember the words of Lincoln himself:

“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 nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. 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.”

We are thankful for every one of you and pray for God’s continued blessings in your lives.