Part III

Hale’s mission and Seward’s words reflect the profound impact of giving thanks. It is amazing to think of a country coming together to give thanks in the midst of a war within itself. Perhaps to the many government officials who declined Hale’s initial requests at a time when the war was not present this holiday seemed insignificant. And when the war came one would think that Hale’s efforts would have been diverted altogether. But Hale knew a key spiritual truth.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 6:16–18

Paul wrote these words to the church of the Thessalonians, not when they were thriving, but when they were experiencing persecution and struggling. Paul calls us to give thanks in all circumstances, in times of struggles, or even times of war, because gratitude is a gateway for God’s power to work in our lives. Gratitude forces us to focus on God instead of our struggles. When we give thanks and praise to God, we are reminded that He is bigger than any circumstance we are facing and our faith is increased. There is no doubt that a day of Thanksgiving and Praise being decreed in the midst of the Civil War influenced the timing of its end on a spiritual level. Thank goodness Sarah Hale did not give up. In fact, her persistence was her B.E.A.U.T.Y. It took 15 years and hundreds of letters to make Thanksgiving a national holiday and when most would have quit after the first year, she never took her eyes off of the significance of a unified country giving thanks to it’s Creator.