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All military votes must be counted for Florida The political-legal dispute over Floridians' votes in the presidential election ironically is one more reason for Americans to be thankful to God on this Thanksgiving Day. In some other corners of the world, by now the tanks would be in the streets and some general no one ever heard of or voted for would have declared himself president. But in these United States, we peaceably resolve even the most bitter of political disputes. While most Americans undoubtedly are concerned, at some level, about the events since Election Day, it is a mark of our national confidence in our Constitution that most of us have gone about our daily lives as if nothing significant had happened. For that, too, we should be thankful. We should be thankful for the many other blessings bestowed upon this land, as well. America continues to lead the world in many endeavors, and our nation produces such enormous wealth that we Americans are able to give away to charity more than the GDP of some countries. In his proclamation of the first national day of Thanksgiving in the newly constituted nation, President George Washington wrote: "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; and Whereas both 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 and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. ..." Washington's words are well worth pondering in light of recent events. As families gather for a day of church services, football games and feasts, let us pause to reflect upon "the many signal favors of Almighty God" bestowed upon our nation, community and families. But amidst the usual plenty of a Thanksgiving Day feast, let us also pray for those among us who, although no less blessed by God, lack the means to partake in such a feast. Thanksgiving Day is an exciting American holiday for many reasons. It marks the semi-official beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Families gather from afar, perhaps the only day they'll be able to do so all year. Football playoff prospects and bowl berths loom large. Winter is setting in. Amid the excitement, however, let us all remember the reasons for this holiday, and give our own prayers of thanksgiving to Almighty God. Happy Thanksgiving Day. |
