As we go through Thanksgiving week, it may benefit us to take a deep breath and realize that although this past year was at times difficult, we have made it. We have persevered through another year and that is commendable, in and of itself.
I always try to remind myself of something I heard years ago (I don’t recall the author) regarding our blessings as Americans. When asked how he was doing, the man replied, “Well, I was born in America, and I have my health, so I feel like I’ve already won the lottery.” I thought it was a great response and perspective!
As we approach Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, we are reminded of not only for our current military heroes, but also for those who were grievously wounded and those 1.1 million American service men and women since the Revolutionary War to the present who died defending America, placing on the altar of freedom “that last full measure of devotion.” And for what was this enormous sacrifice made? For the defense and preservation of the freedom and liberties we often take for granted.
We are thankful that our Declaration of Independence remains the “promise” of America, and that through our Constitution, as simple as it is profound, we as a Nation also remain dedicated to the continued “fulfillment of the promise” of America. The Declaration’s transcendent recognition of both our intrinsic human value and that our rights come not from government but from God: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights and that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
It’s true, America must continue to grapple with and solve many challenges that face our country. Yet, I am encouraged at the thought of the tremendous talent and ingenuity of the American entrepreneur and the stunning ability of the free market and free people adapt to tough times, as we have so many times in American history.
In his 1981 Thanksgiving Day Address to the American people, President Ronald Reagan reminded all Americans that God, not government, is the source of the multitude of national blessings upon all Americans, and that charity toward one another is engrained upon our national soul. He pointed out that “This spirit of voluntary giving was ingrained in the American character.”
This Thanksgiving, I hope we are able to unplug from social media and other distractions and reconnect ourselves with our families, our faith, and personally and publicly affirm what should be our enormous gratitude for the abundant blessings that all Americans have received from above.
– Adapted from Royal Alexander, Shreveport Times, 2023