MY THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
Betty Whitaker Jackson
On this day of the year we know as Thanksgiving
’Though every day in my prayers I remember
To show attitude’s gratitude to practice thanksliving
This day is special, a specified moment
For success’s excesses our homage to pay.
Tradition demands we go back to the Pilgrims
Whose very survival was divine intervention,
We collectively remember their daily struggles and trials
Through cold, heat, and danger and daily encounters
That magnified reliance on God’s sovereign care.
Imagine their imaginative problem-solving acumen
So far from their homeland, so threatened by newness.
What trust they exhibited, what lessons life taught them
How harrowing encounters overcame man’s mere efforts
Assurance their survival mission was well worth the risks.
But long before, historians tell us
The Cherokees danced harvest’s Green Corn Dance
Assuring their harvest would bless all their efforts
And survival once more would chase away famine
And blessings would come through sun, rain, and growth.
The Wampanoag Indians shared corn mush, deer, turkeys
And berries and lobster, historians say
With struggling colonists whose daring adventures
Had placed them in contact in this precious new land,
Edward Winslow, historian, recorded that day.
Our presidents declared Publick Days of Thanksgiving,
George Washington, Abe Lincoln, FDR, and others–
Many in times of nation’s challenges and crises,
1789, 1863, and depression’s dark days, World War battles
They set aside ceremonial thanksgivings..
The final resolution proclaimed the Fourth Thursday
Would be a national day of Thanksgiving,
A twenty-eight-year cycle determines occurrence
Not until 2030 and 2041 will it again be so late
Leaving scant days ‘til Christmas for shopping’s excess.
President Biden reminds us in this year’s Proclamation
That “We’re a good nation because we’re a good people.”
With confidence we remember all that unites us
As we strive to “attain the American Dream.”
Not once does he mention we’re thankful to God.
To me and believers who honor God’s sovereignty
We bow in allegiance to His gracious blessings
Our very breath, our being, our depth of gratitude
Is by His grace, not our achievements or wishes.
But His mercy and guidance, and provisions of grace.
So let me recount the reason for the season
Of thanksgiving, sincere gratitude as I see it:
For family, for health, for provision, for benefits
I’ve no reason to expect except for His favor
I’m too blessed to be stressed, so I magnify His Name.
He shows me direction, keeps me strong and determined
To see His benefits when I follow His plan,
He answers my questions, answers my doubts, heals diseases,
And protects my soul’s journey through trials and cares
Always redeeming my struggles and directing my path.
I count daily blessings, discarding the trash-stuff
That could dim my reflections on His sovereign grace.
I joy in the butterfly, the sunshine, love’s tokens well-spoken,
The parking space near my destination He provides,
And surgery-recovery, to mention a few.
He’s blessed me with lifelong observations of blessings,
Employment, enjoyment through life’s ups and downs,
My children are thriving, they’re following God’s plan
I joy in my grandkids’ optimistic achievements
And their reaching potential only He can provide.
My octogenarian outlook is positive
For I’ve memories rich I recite in my mind
Of life’s constant blessings too numerous to mention
And His assurance I’ll soon rest in His Kingdom forever
Once mortal life ends, and true peace with Him comes.
’Til then, I’ll rejoice at the latest sunrise splendor
And sky-paint no one on earth can achieve,
I’ll sit in wonder as I worship and pray, sing His praises
Knowing language only angels can fully attain
Is just breaths away from here-life’s limitations.
Til that moment comes, when I leave this world’s boundaries
I’ll love on my neighbors, my family, my friends
Live with an attitude of gratitude, true thanksgiving
For daily reminders I don’t need to save
For Thursday’s celebrations one solitary day.
We pray our thanksgivings to God at each mealtime
We thank Him for blessings at the end of each day
We know He hears and attends our mere mumblings
Because He provides even more the next day
God’s the one owed Thanksgiving’s rich praise.
Thankful am I for each breath and step
For strength to meet each encounter,
For food for thought and body and nourishing
For family, home, friends, church, and meaning
That lead to thanksliving I practice each day.
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