Thanksgiving Day

by Douglas Baynes

In a just a few days Americans will once again gather in homes that the air is scented with baking turkeys and pies in the oven. Our home will be no exception. Annie will be up early to get the turkey ready and in the top oven and the lower oven, for my treat, pumpkin pie. Yeah I’m that guy who has to starts the fall off with all things pumpkin spice. Coffee creamer, pancakes, oh and I have found pumpkin bread. Sorry it’s a weakness. The dinning room table will be set and decorated to Martha Stewart approval. The TV will be on channel 3 waiting for the Miracle on 34th Street to start and Macys Thanksgiving Parade to take place. This is my 68th Thanksgiving, and I have no recollection of ever not watching the parade. Even on our black and white Admiral TV set, it was then as it still is today, the best holiday of the year. Yes, that kickoff to the most Holly Jolly time of the year.

Our daughter and son in-law will be over as well as our new addition to the family, our granddaughter, Dottie. At 9 months all the world is so new and everything has to be touched, kissed or licked by her, LOL. Being surrounded by family and friends should give us all pause to truly reflect on being thankful this year. It has been a hard year for so many. Sickness number one and then so many out of work because of it. After we have all eaten our weight in turkey and dressing, not to mention pumpkin pie, it’s a perfect time to reflect on all of Gods goodness for the past year. The Bible is filled with verses about gratitude that can encourage you to have thanksgiving in your heart all year long. Whether read around the dinner table or by the fireplace with hot coffee, celebrate why we share this holiday in the first place. For all of it is truly a Thanksgiving of God’s love for us. Here are a few verses to say: 28 // November 2020

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his love endures forever,” (1 Chronicles 16:34).

“Let the peace of Christ rule your heart, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful,” (Colossians 3:15).“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer,” (1 Timothy 4:4-5).

My favorite, ”Do not be worrisome about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. Then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:6-7) Amen.

Our pray for your home this Thanksgiving is that you may find a thankful heart in these trying times. The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 with the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians there in Plymouth. Without the help of them the Pilgrims who came to the new world so they could worship as they chose, would not have survived that first year. It was then on October 3 1789 that President George Washington wrote the “Thanksgiving Day Proclamation” and the day was set as November 26 th. It reads as follows:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor. Whereas, both the houses of congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore I do recommend next to be devoted by the people of these states to service of that great and glorious being, who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, this is, or that will be, that we may than all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks for his kind care and protection of the people of this country.”

America was founded by Christians and this country was lead by those that acknowledge gave thanks for our Gods provision. From our home to your, may God bless you and keep you.

About The Author C. Douglas Baynes lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, with his wife of 39 years, Annie. They attend Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.

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