Today we celebrate Thanksgiving, a tradition started by the Pilgrims in 1621 and first held in Plymouth, Massachusetts. By the fall of 1921 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast. That first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.

Thanksgiving Day is the day of the famous Macy’s parade, a tradition which began in the 1920’s. I have never seen the parade live, but I enjoy watching it from the comforts of my living room, in the warmth of my home, on TV.

I was intrigued, as I read Facebook this week, to read the things people were thankful for. Some responses: family, friends, military, home, children, in-laws, jobs. I was also surprised to note that no one said they were thankful for Jesus, who came to earth to die for our sins, assure us of sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life.

Yes, I am thankful for all the things mentioned about, but, I am most thankful for salvation which I have through Jesus. Not having been raised in a Christian home, and not hearing the Gospel preached in the church I attended as a youth, I have often wondered where I would be today if someone had not shared the Gospel with me. Perhaps still living in my eternally lost condition. Almost every day I thank God for opening my eyes to see my need of a Savior and the gift he gave to me. I thank God that he spoke to my heart and I responded to his gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Thank you Jesus!

Today as I celebrate Thanksgiving with my children, I am thankful that each of them knows Jesus as their Savior. They have made sure their children have accepted Christ as their Savior too. Each of my three daughter-in-laws know and love Jesus. What a wonderful reason to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Today, I give praise for my heavenly Father. He is the most awesome, majestic, loving, gracious, forgiving friend I have – and I just want to say, “I love you.”
Psalm 108:1-5 - "My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth."
Happy Thanksgiving.


Sweet Potato Bread

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
¾ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground allspice
¼ tsp. ground cloves
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
½ cup vegetable oil
6 Tbsp. orange juice
½ cup chopped pecans

In bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a small bowl whisk eggs, sweet potatoes, oil and orange juice. Stir into dry ingredients until moistened. Fold in pecans. Pour into greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.