Thanksgiving

I 've been talking to some friends who celebrate the American Thanksgiving celebration and it really appeals to me. I've been talking to Bev and its seems like a celebration that we should pick up as a family. I don't think New Zealanders as a nation are grateful for the things we have been blessed with in this country. I don't think as Christians in the western world we are grateful for the things God has given us.

I found it interesting that it is actually a legislated holiday in the United States. It has been declared so twice. Firstly by President Washington declares Thanksgiving as a national day of thanksgiving and prayer on November 26. President Roosevelt determined Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November in 1941. I feel that to truthfully follow Washington's original everday needs to have an element of gratitude every day.

"Thanksgiving Day comes by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of grattitude will allow." Edward Sanford Martin.

I believe working on an "attitude of gratitude" and honouring on a regular basis allows the actual
 celebration and honouring on Thankgiving Day to have real meaning beyond just a custom. If we are truly grateful to God and to others and honour them appropriately it bless both them and us.