President’s Day
I was researching the significance of President’s Day and came across this in the Old Farmer’s Almanac:
“Washington’s birthday was celebrated on February 22 until well into the 20th Century. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law to “provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.” By creating more 3-day weekends, Congress hoped to “bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.”
“Today, George Washington’s Birthday is one of only eleven permanent holidays established by Congress. One of the great traditions followed for decades has been the reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address—which remains an annual event for the Senate to this day.”
“In a sense, Washington’s birthday helps us reflect on not just the first president but also the founding of our nation, the values, and what Washington calls in his Farewell Address, the “beloved Constitution and union, as received from the Founders.”
I liked the part about “substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.” We see the benefit for the economic life in all of the President’s Day sales that take place with the 3 day weekend. But what about the spiritual benefits? The article mentioned that in reading President Washington’s farewell address it would help us reflect on the founding of our nation and its values.
Our Nation began with the strong belief, In God We Trust. Overtime it has begun to put more trust in money. This last week I was given the opportunity to choose where I would place my trust.
I was invited to attend a Wednesday night bible study that takes place at 6:30 pm at the church which is nearby my work place. The office closed at 5:30 pm but I still had quite a bit of work to complete and thought that the extra hour would help me get caught up. By 6:15 pm I still had work that I wanted to finish and at that moment had the choice whether to stay and get ahead for the week or leave and go to the bible study.
If you know me, the thought of leaving work undone that could make the rest of my work week a little lighter was a difficult choice. I reasoned that I would start attending the following week. What did one week matter anyway?
Right then I heard the verse, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33) I knew that God was telling me to choose Him and everything would work out just fine. So I closed up the office and went to bible study. I met several new people and had a very enjoyable evening.
The next couple of days at work were incredible. I had more sales than I could imagine. I have a goal of 5 new packages each week and by Friday I was at 9! Praise God! Little details all came together and I was able to get all the paperwork done for the next few weeks when I will be gone on vacation. Thank you Lord for the timely reminder.
Today on President’s Day I’m going to reflect on God first. It’s because of Him that we live in a land with freedom. It’s because of Him that we have the many opportunities that we do. It is to Him that we can pray for the leaders of this great nation. It is to our fellow man that we can say, “In God I Trust!”
My prayer
Father, thank you for the lesson in obedience and trusting You for the outcome. Your ways are always better. I pray for our nation that it will return to the godly values it was founded upon. For the leaders of this nation that they will seek Your guidance in governing the people You have placed them over. I also pray for the citizens that they will choose to trust in You alone. You are God and You are in control. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Quote
“I ask that our people devote themselves to continuous prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt