Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a  national holiday celebrated in Canada, the United States, some Caribbean islands, and Liberia, Yes Liberia, which is a country, colonized, and controlled by citizens of the United States and ex Caribbean slaves as a colony for former African American slaves and their free black descendants. (Some history for you). It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of harvest and of the preceding year. In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast together. Based on what happened after this I don't see this as a day the Indians have any cause to celebrate now.

 

The date has been established over time to celebrate our blessings even while very little attention has been placed of where these blessing come from. Since we have long pasted the agricultural revolution, Thanksgiving has been transformed into a time to regroup for the year with family and friends around a feast of food. It has been almost moved to a  second tier holiday since it hasn't been able to be fully commercialized. Many consider it the "kick off" to the Christmas holiday period. While it has it's parades and family traditions, the day after is almost as celebrated as "black Friday".

 

This is one the few instances in American society where the term "black" is used as a positive. In most every other instance black is considered bad or ominous, while white is considered good or bright. In a society where the all mighty dollar is king, "being in the black" means success and prosperity. This is the time of year where capitalist pull. Out all the stops to win customers and increase sales. This is the time win people will spend money they don't have, to buy things they don't want or need, to impress people they don't know or even like.

But since life is never the way we hope or dream it should be, Thanksgiving should be a time to thank God for all the blessings we have. While we should give him thanks every day, for each and every day, the Thanksgiving Holiday should  be a day to regroup, no compare what we have to others, and rely on Gods power to help be content in whatever condition we may be in life.

With that said I offer this prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have bestowed on my life.
You have provided me with more than I could have ever even imagined.
You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions.
They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on You and make Mt spirit soar.
Thank you, Lord.
In Your name, Amen.