This week we will congregate with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Millions of Americans will gather around the table to feast on turkey and all the fixing’s and to tune in to one of the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games.
The celebration of Thanksgiving is one of remembrance and gratitude for the blessings of life we enjoy. In his Thanksgiving Day proclamation in 1789, George Washington offered a blueprint as to how the day ought to be remembered.
In part, the proclamation read, “Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation…” As our nation’s first president he had a keen understanding of the origins of our blessings.
Washington’s proclamation touched on themes that are worthy of another look. The themes are guiding principles for every generation of leaders. Here is a observation for consideration. 
Thankful leaders are devoted to service. Washington proclaimed the day be “devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of good.”
Our highest calling as leaders is to serve.
Excellent reminder