The history of Thanksgiving Day is embedded in reflection and thankfulness at times of crisis.
The pilgrims, after a long ocean crossing, were isolated foreigners—refugees, if you will—in a land far from their home and families of origin.
President George Washington set November aside as a month to give thanks, following the American Revolution.
President Abraham Lincoln set the last Thursday of November as a national day to give thanks, not long after the battle of Gettysburg.
President Franklin D Roosevelt set Thanksgiving Day as the fourth Thursday of the month, not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Whatever your circumstances are, whatever your situation in life, whether you have a lot or a little, give thanks!
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1 ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)