Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

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Happy Thanksgiving.  I know it's actually on Monday, but I thought I'd get it in today.  What?  Are many of you confused?  If my stats counter is correct then 70% of you live in the United States.  You're running to your calendar to make sure you didn't miss it, aren't you?  You're wondering if they changed it from a Thursday to a Monday.  No, you are not wrong.  Monday is Thanksgiving and Thursday, November 25, 2010 is Thanksgiving.  The difference - Canadian and American Thanksgiving.  

We don't have pilgrims or the Mayflower (even though I did dress as one for Halloween when I was 10), but we do have the harvest and celebrating and praising God for the bounty that we received, especially in the area I live in and the wet summer we've had.  We have turkeys and football (even hockey) on Thanksgiving.  I haven't seen a Thanksgiving Day parade but understand that people in Ontario have one.  We have turkey , stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots & nips (translation: turnips), brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.  Some in Quebec may even have a tourtiere.   We do have sweet potatoes, but I've only ever eaten them like baked potatoes.  Historically, Canada has officially celebrated Thanksgiving since 1879, usually with no set date and with some theme.  In 1957, Thanksgiving was entered into law as "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed … to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." 

As the Babes met this week, we spent a little time talking about Thanksgiving.  Most people in Canada do not even know the history of Thanksgiving.  In fact, until I read wikipedia today, I didn't know when it came to law either.  By most people, it is viewed as a time for travel, a big family meal and having fun.   Our society is pretty secular. Most don't even think of it as thanking anyone anymore or they don't even know who they're thanking.  I know who I'm thanking and what I'm thankful for, but do they realize that when they give thanks that they are thanking our Heavenly Father for what He has given them. Makes you think doesn't it.

So while I'm pigging out and stressing out (I've had some turkey issues in the past), I'll be thinking about what God has done for me and my family this year and thanking Him for His blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving!