Thanksgiving wasn’t always a national holiday. In fact, it took place in different states for more than 200 years before it became official. The person who made it happen was a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale.

Sarah was a mother, a writer, and the author of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She deeply believed that America needed one special day every year to thank God together as a nation so for 17 years, she wrote letters to governors, congressmen, and even presidents. Most of them ignored her but Sarah wrote one more letter to President Abraham Lincoln. It was 1863 and the Civil War was raging and families were divided. Thousands were dying every month. It seemed like the last thing anyone would do was celebrate.

In her letter to President Lincoln, Sarah reminded him that even in times of great sorrow, nations need to thank God for what blessings they still have - for harvest, for life, for hope. Lincoln agreed and he issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November 1863 a day of national thanksgiving to God. Even while the war continued, people across the country paused, prayed, and gave thanks. It was a moment of hope and unity in one of America’s darkest hours.

That’s how our Thanksgiving holiday was born not in times of peace, but in times of pain. Gratitude isn’t just for when things go well and reminds us in the darkest hour we still have blessings all around us.

Blessings,
Marcia Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry