Are we aware of the true source
of blessings and wealth?
by Jerold Aust
The Yoruba people of West Africa have an
old saying: "However far the stream flows, it never forgets its source."
But, we may ask, have the people of the United States forgotten the source of their
blessings?
The United States observes the national holiday of Thanksgiving, dedicated to
remembering the many blessings America enjoys: hills and plains filled with mineral
riches; fertile soil that grows endless crops of grain; waters teeming with fish;
pastures feeding millions of head of livestock; forests for building homes, schools,
hospitals and industrial complexes; two long borders on oceans providing transportation,
food and natural barriers for defense.
There is more, of course. But, when we ask ourselves how we have been blessed,
another question should come to mind: How grateful are we for these blessings? And,
perhaps more crucial, do we remember the real source of these blessings?
Although Thanksgiving Day is an American institution, any country derives the
benefits from following the biblical principle of always being thankful to God for
His bountiful blessings.
The origins of Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving celebration, in 1621, lasted three days. Plymouth Colony's
Governor William Bradford, issued a thanksgiving proclamation, and for three days
the Pilgrims feasted with their Indian guests on wild turkey and venison.
Days of thanksgiving were celebrated sporadically until President George Washington
proclaimed a nationwide day of thanksgiving on November 26, 1789. He made it clear
that the day should be dedicated to prayer and giving thanks to God.
Due credit for finally establishing Thanksgiving Day as a lasting national holiday
goes to Sarah J. Hale, editor and founder of the Ladies' Magazine. Her editorials
and letters to President Abraham Lincoln resulted in Lincoln's proclamation, in 1863,
designating the last Thursday in November as a national holiday of thanksgiving.
Later, in 1941, Congress adopted a joint resolution setting the date on the fourth
Thursday of November.
