A Thanksgiving Proclamation....

We all know the story of the first Thanksgiving, but I thought it was interesting today, when I saw this link posted on Boundless for the original proclamation that set apart the last Thursday in November as a day to give thanks. I imagine that I had read this in my history books at some point in time, but I had forgotten that Thanksgiving was established during the Civil War, when times were so difficult for soldiers and civilians alike, as reminder that even then, there was much to thank God for. I have a habit of complaining. I complain about having asthma, my aching legs, about standing on my feet all day, etc, etc. I forget that I have a lot to be grateful for. I have medicine for my asthma. I have a job, a roof over my head, food, clothes, and family, not to mention so many other things. God is good.

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

Lyrics by August Storm

source: www.cyberhymnal.org