I pray we all remember the signifigance of this day, and how it is rooted in thanks to our Almighty God.

Below is the proclamation from George Washington as printed in The Massachusetts Centinel on October 14, 1789.

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

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My buddy, Brian, has recently turned me onto these Nooma videos by a pastor named Rob Bell. Rob preaches at a church called Mars Hill up north, and I’m really digging these video shorts he’s created.

The below video is titled “Today”. I love the questions Rob asks, and the pictures he paints.

“If you need to celebrate how good it was, then celebrate. …then do it. But then, move on. There is a certain kind of despair that sets in when we believe that things were better back then, when we’re stuck back there, when we’re not fully present. When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today.“

“Is Jesus saying to you right now about anything, about anybody, about anytime, ‘Let go, and receive a new spirit!’? So you may accept the past for what it is. May you celebrate what needs to be celebrated. And grieve what needs to be grieved. And then may you receive from God a new spirit. One for HERE, NOW, TODAY.”

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It’s been a tough year for our family. I won’t detail all of it, but the Lord knows the waters we have been wading through.

I came home this week to spend some time with my family – specifically my parents, my grandfather, and my brother Matt. Indirectly, my birthday happens to be today. I’m usually not big on birthdays, so being away from friends and being home was no big thing. But, I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to receive countless amounts of emails from friends and family. It’s been a welcome change.

But, in all the hoopla about birthdays, today I celebrate my parents.

To my father:
The man who epitomizes strength of character, strength of will, determination, hard work, sacrifice, endurance, and devotion.

To my mother:
For all her never ending love, caring words, bottomless well of energy, ingenuity, business savvy, making the impossible possible, and good heart.

I am forever thankful for the two of them immensely. Two loving parents who raised five sons in the way of the Lord. Two loving parents who never wavered no matter how much stress us sons have put on them, or what troubles we drug them through. My parents are the anchors that have kept us rooted in home, family, love, unconditional love, and faith, all the while trying their best to live their lives as examples we can pattern ourselves after. They have instilled in us words of truth that will never be forgotten. And by their dedication to us, they have provided us shelter, safety, and kindness at our times of need.

Our lives are in no way perfect. But, through our trials comes joy. And today, I celebrate them both. Mom and Dad, I love you both.

They treat their kids like royalty. But, little do they know we consider them saints!

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