“The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.” —George Washington (1778)
When our kids were young, I instilled in them the principle that when feeling fearful or lost, they could restore hope again by expressing gratitude and service to others. Indeed, amid the daily din, being mindfully grateful for simple blessings and mercies pays rich dividends in the currency of hope.
That principle of expressing gratitude has sustained and renewed my hope for the future of our family, our community, and our country through many challenging seasons. It empowers all of us at The Patriot Post to approach our daily charge with optimism and vigor.
That expression was framed well by Roman statesman and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all the others.”
To that end, please pause with us this Thanksgiving to reflect upon how blessed we really are — blessed far beyond any measure of what we deserve. We are grateful for many blessings and mercies, especially for our large fellowship of Patriot brothers and sisters bound together by our devotion to American Liberty.
To put our National Day of Thanksgiving into proper context is to express gratitude.
In that spirit, especially this year, I invite you to read our “History and Legacy of Our National Thanksgiving” and share it with others.
From the extraordinary journal of Mayflower Compact signer and Plymouth Governor William Bradford:
Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.
President George Washington, in his First Thanksgiving Proclamation, declared:
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 favor … I do recommend and assign [this Thanksgiving Day] 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.
In President Ronald Reagan’s final Thanksgiving message, he wrote:
We Americans have so much for which to be thankful. … But prosperity is not an end in itself. It helps us pay attention to the more important things: raising our children as we want them to be raised, helping others in need, and bringing nations together in peace. … We will give thanks for these and one thing more: our freedom. Yes, in America, freedom seems like the air around us: It’s there; it’s sweet, though we rarely give it a thought. Yet, as the air fills our lungs, freedom fills our souls. It gives breath to our laughter and joy. It gives voice to our songs. It gives us strength as we race for our dreams. Think of those around the world who cannot bow their heads in prayer without risking their lives. … And then think of how blessed we are to be Americans. Yes, as we gather together this Thanksgiving to ask the Lord’s blessings. … Let us thank Him for our peace, prosperity, and freedom.
Indeed.
Patriot sisters and brothers, especially in this season, contemplate all that is good and right: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
For some added inspiration from the mountains of East Tennessee, enjoy listening to “My Beautiful America” by our now-departed fellow Tennessean, Charlie Daniels.
Please join us in prayer for the Lord’s blessing upon our nation, that good and righteous leaders would rise and prevail, and that division would be healed so we would be united as Americans.
Pray for our Military Patriots, Veterans, First Responders, and their families.
I also ask the favor of prayer for our Patriot Post team and our mission, which is first and foremost “to support and defend” our Republic’s Founding Principles — the Liberty endowed by our Creator — that we would ignite the fires of freedom in the hearts and minds of our countrymen.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as editor and publisher of The Patriot Post and for your support of our team.
In Washington’s words: “Our cause is noble; it is the cause of all mankind! … Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions.”
On behalf of your Patriot Post team and National Advisory Committee, have a grateful and hopeful Thanksgiving. We pray God’s blessings upon you and your family.
May our sovereign God bless and keep us one and all and give us peace.
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et FidelisPro Deo et Libertate — 1776
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Please join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Guardians — standing in harm’s way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please lift up your Patriot team and our mission to support and defend our Republic’s Founding Principle of Liberty, in order to ignite the fires of freedom in the hearts and minds of our countrymen.
Thank you for supporting our nation’s premier journal of American Liberty.
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