It amazes me how so many people can fail to focus on the true meaning and purpose of why we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Take time to read an old time history book and you will realize that the Thanksgiving observance began with the earliest (non Indian) settlers of America. They had experienced incredible hardships after landing in America. But, with the help of God, they had survived the experience. They wanted to express their heartfelt thanks to God almighty. In a recent column, Angela Fee-Maimon wrote, in a very politically correct and general way, about being thankful on Thanksgiving day. Not once did she mention God or express her thanks to him. Is God not included in our thanks?

Let’s be clear on this point: It is God — the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — who has provided us with every good thing in our lives. I am not thankful to the government for what I have. I am not grateful to political parties or elected officials for the good things that I possess.

It was not through my own abilities that I have more than enough in my life. Yes, family is an important part of observing thanksgiving. And I do enjoy football and basketball games. But, you are missing the true meaning for having Thanksgiving, if you don’t place God in the center of observance on Thanksgiving day. For those of us with children, we need to be sure the understand that Thanksgiving is more than food, ball games and parades on T.V.

Mathias Williams

Evarts