In 1621 settlers living in the Plymouth Colony who came to this continent from their native Europe to escape religious persecution held a celebration of their autumn harvest. To their celebration, they invited members of the local Wampanoag tribe, and the first observance of the holiday we call Thanksgiving took place in North America.

Little did those men and women of Plymouth know their desire for
religious and other freedoms would be the first humble foundations of
the nation that would grow to be an inspiration to mankind and a
beacon of freedom to the world.

This week we renew this great tradition as families gather across
Tennessee to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon our nation
and to us individually. As we live our daily lives, it can become easy
to lose sight of the blessings we have. It can also be easy to forget
how important it is to give thanks for the freedoms we have. As we
enjoy the time with our families, the food and – of course – the
football, it is our responsibility to remember the men and women who
are defending our nation around the world on this holiday. At the
Smith table, there will be a spirit of thanks for those who cannot be
with their families because their duty calls them to stand between us
and modern forms of tyranny.

Our nation faces great issues that threaten our freedom and will
decide the legacy we pass on to our children. America is engaged in
two wars against terror. Our economy continues to struggle with too
many of us looking for answers as we look for jobs. Our representatives in Washington seem to ignore our voices but focus on a political agenda. While the challenges we face are great, let's choose to remember that the first official observance of Thanksgiving came from President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, a historical time of division.

In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 President Lincoln stated, “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.”

As we recognize our blessings this year, be encouraged and strengthened in knowing we have always met the challenges of the day and emerged even stronger. My convictions are made more sure that we are able to do so, yet again.

Robin Smith
Hixson
robin@robinfortennessee.com