Leviticus 7:12-15
If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer … Of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the Lord”
As we gather on Thursday to celebrate the blessings we have received this past year, we should give praise to the Lord for what he has delivered.
One hundred sixty years ago, after a proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, America began the tradition of Thanksgiving.
While we know what President Lincoln did, the credit goes to the accomplishment of a woman, Miss Sarah Josepha Hale who worked diligently over decades to make Thanksgiving a holiday. Hale actually crafted the proclamation.
“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.”
Amen.
This Thanksgiving I think of the sacrifice the men and women in our community make as members of a police or fire department who are not in front of their families but are working to keep us safe. I think of the first thanksgiving in 2001 after being at Ground Zero - the emotions of knowing so many would not be celebrating this day with their families after an Islamic terrorist group attacked our country. That scene, the rubble and destruction, will always be ingrained into my memory.
Tomorrow, take the time to call a family member or a friend and just say God bless you and thank you for being a part of your life. Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings that you have, known and unknown, and the blessings of grace that the Lord gives us as Scripture says in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Happy thanksgiving to all!
John Porro
Candidate,
Texas 3rd Congressional District