“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies,” continuing on to voice Lincoln’s prayer “to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union.” Even the smallest of

George Washington declared a Thanksgiving Day in February 1795. John Adams declared one in 1798 and one in 1799. Thomas Jefferson chose not to declare any. It wasn’t until 1863—the middle of the Civil War—that Abraham Lincoln, in an effort to unify the fractured nation, proclaimed the last Thursday of every November a national holiday.

“Write down for the coming generation what the LORD has done, so that people not yet born will praise him.”11 You owe it to future generations to preserve the testimony of how God helped you fulfill his purposes on earth. It is a witness that will continue to speak long after you’re in heaven.