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The actual holiday of Thanksgiving in the United States came about in two different parts. Our first president, George Washington, created the first national holiday of Thanksgiving in 1789 after the drafting of the United States Constitution. The holiday was not celebrated regularly until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the national day of Thanksgiving would be celebrated in November. Every year since 1863, America has set a day aside for prayer and thankfulness. The amazing thing about Lincoln creating Thanksgiving is that he did so during the Civil War. This was one of the most painful, bloody wars America has ever fought. It was on our own soil, and brothers fought brothers. It tore the country apart. Hundreds of thousands of people died so that all people could be free. It seems like in the middle of the fighting there wouldn’t be much to be thankful for. But that’s the beauty of Thanksgiving. It comes every year, regardless of whether we are ready or not. We can always thank God for what we have, even if it is just life and breath. Thessalonians says, “In everything, give thanks.” When we do, we will show the world that we believe in a God bigger than our circumstances, even if that circumstance is a civil war. God is bigger, mightier, and worthy of thanksgiving. This is Luis Palau.