(In his book, Seasons of Life, Charles Swindoll says, "I've got a love affair going with Thanksgiving. Hands down, it's my favorite holiday of all." And then he states four reasons for feeling this way. Today I want to quote part of his third reason.)
Third, it drips with national nostalgia. ...I recall as a little barefoot boy with a cowlick of snow-white hair on my forehead, standing erect in my classroom and repeating the "Pledge of Allegiance" one Thanksgiving season. Our nation was at war and times were hard. My teacher had lost her husband on the bloodwashed shores of Normandy. As we later bowed our heads for prayer she wept aloud. I did too. All the class joined in. She stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that ever emerged from a soul plunged in pain. At that time in my young life, I fell strangely in love with Thanksgiving. ...I swore before God that I would fight to the end to keep this land free from foes who would want to take away America's distinctives and the joys of living in this good land. I have never forgotten my childhood promise. I never shall.
(Charles Swindoll does not mention it here but I want you to know he grew up to be a marine. He was a marine before he was a minister.)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!
What a great review and what a great promise to make! Thanksgiving is a wonderful Holiday but I have never seen it in this light! Thanks Clif and thanks Chuck Swindoll for continuing on in your promise
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartfelt promise from the lips of a little boy! I'm glad he shared the story and I'm glad you did too. I appreciate Charles Swindoll's teachings, always have and I appreciate you too. Have a wonderful Sunday and a blessed Thanksgiving this coming week. We have much to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Dr. Swindoll says it well!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this...and God bless.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful post. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you.
ReplyDeleteAnne
Simply beautiful. Inspiring. He alone, deserves our praises and thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing boy who grew up to be an amazing man. We can only pray that young boys today would be so caring of their teachers and our Nation. Thank-you Clif for this story that touched my heart. I hope that your Thanksgiving will be relaxing, safe, and full of love.
ReplyDeleteGinger
This was a very moving and interesting story about Charles Swindoll. And no I didn't know he was a marine before a minister, also interesting. I too love Thanksgiving. I was telling my husband just today how sad it is that it is so often just lost in the shuffle to get to the Christmas season (which I also love) I wish it was celebrated at a different time of the year so there would be more focus on it. To be truly thankful for all we have been blessed with is soo important I think and yet one so many people seem to miss. Thanks for posting this. Blessings and have a wonderful Thanksgving, Debbie
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant story! Thanks, Clif. Have a great Thanksgicing!
ReplyDeleteA very moving story and one that makes me even more thankful for our faith and our country.
ReplyDeleteAh, were there more Charles Swindoll's in today's world!
ReplyDelete(Then again, I'd like to believe there are ... we've just not heard their words - yet.)
I found this so moving, Clif. Thank you for shepherding it center-stage!
Wishing you and Charlotte a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Myra
Clif, this is wonderful! I can't even express in words how this touched my heart...very moving, very insightful, so beautiful..thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday...God bless,
Mary
I'm thankful for tender hearts and courageous souls like his.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sentiments, Clif; I didn't know that about Charles Swindoll. I am thankful for you, Clif.
ReplyDeletewow... just wow... God bless you and Charlotte this Thanksgiving! <3
ReplyDeleteI love Dr Swindoll! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that I live in America and for all the military that served to give me this freedom.
ReplyDeleteI like charles Swindoll's writings. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for taking the time to comment on my posts. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteOh, Clif! This is such an amazing story. I adore Chuck Swindoll, and he has grown up to do what he promised. I had no idea he was a marine, but I salute him for that call as well as the call to preach the Good News of Christ.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spiritual Sunday... I wept with the teacher, too, on this one!
Sheila
Clif,
ReplyDeleteI'm not that familiar with Charles Swindoll's writings but I was very touched by this story.
I am so thankful that our military has kept us free to worship as we wish. I pray that we continue to be free. A very happy Thanksgiving to you and Charlotte and your family.
Jean
Hi Clif..
ReplyDeleteI really want to read tis book now!!! I had tears in my eyes remembering doing the pledge of allegiance during my school days.
Just felt so honored starting the school day doing that and singing God Bless America.
Blessings Lorie
Thank you for this inspiring post and also for your visit today. Coralie
ReplyDeleteThanks for that sweet story. I do pray we can keep God in our Pledge of Allegiance today.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDelete