Who to Thank

by Kelly Knowlden

Because in a secular society, we tend toward leaving God out of everything, we need to express our thanks to all the people in the world that deserve such.  However, ultimately that thanks presupposes Someone who has arranged the course of history so that those people and events have come into our life.  An appropriate giving of thanks to God was made a national event by President Abraham Lincoln spurred by Sarah Josepha Hale.  In the president’s words, 

... I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And in 1942 FDR signed a law making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November, a law which is still in effect today.  However, on most web sites, it is also considered to be a national secular holiday of parades, football and feasting.  As you establish your family culture, it is appropriate to ensure that your children know Who to thank.