National day of Thanksgiving and Humility

Our pastor, Christine Bellefeuille, delivered a well received sermon yesterday at Valley of Peace that had at its heart a recommendation that we reconsider naming Thanksgiving to a national day of Humility.  It was the first time at our church that I heard applause after the sermon. Pastor Chris noted how none of us can claim total responsibility for our success, or even the food on our table. We depended upon drivers, farmers, store workers and countless others for our daily existence. She referenced Elizabeth Warren's observation that none of us became successful on our own.

Suburban turkey

“You built a factory out there? Good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police-forces and fire-forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn’t have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory — and hire someone to protect against this — because of the work the rest of us did.

     Being a national holiday, she also read President Barrack Obama's Thanksgiving proclamation.
   
Another Thanksgiving thought from Newark Mayor, Cory Booker's Facebook page...
     We drink from wells of freedom and opportunity we did not dig. We must give thanks not in words but in continuing this tradition of service.

So, as you are loading up on your Thanksgiving meal today add a slice of humble pie to the menu. Enjoy it in honor of all those upon whom we depend for our blessed existence.