"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. 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.
And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
Abraham Lincoln,Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 3 October 1863"And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things here on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and would fashion them well, according to his will.
May he grant you joy of heart,
and may peace abide among you."
Sirach 50:22-24
"Remember us, O Lord, in thy loving kindness and tender mercies, as ever they have been from old."
Psalm 25:6
I remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers, as always, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. And I give thanks for you and your goodness. Let us commend ourselves to His merciful forgiveness, and trust our futures to His loving kindness and tender mercy. Let us permit ourselves to be fashioned to His will, not for His sake, but for ours.
Remember to feed the least of His creatures, the birds and animals. And bring comfort and fellowship to the hearts of those you meet, with a kind word and a smile. Each of us has our own burdens and troubles to carry.
Be kind to those who are around your table today, even those who may be 'difficult.' And pray for His mercy and enlightenment if that difficult one is you.
Need little - Want less - Love more. For those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them.
