We are still a couple of weeks from our Thanksgiving Day Holiday.  But I think we should begin even now to begin to think about the things we should be thankful for.  Besides symbolizing a time when many of us gather to feast on turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie—what does the word truly mean? This holiday that has become one of the most important days in America was founded by a group of struggling Pilgrims during the fall of 1621. In their book, The Light and the Glory, Peter Marshall and David Manuel’s tell how the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock endured extreme hardship to pioneer a new land. Three long months at sea aboard The Mayflower and a brutal winter left them ragged, malnourished, and susceptible to disease. During the first third of the year, nearly half of the pioneers had perished under the harsh strain of establishing a colony in this new world.

Each day was a life-or-death battle to overcome hunger, disease, and exposure. The only shelter they had from the harsh New England weather was the mud daubed houses they were able to put together. Their attempts at agriculture had proved virtually fruitless. Every meal was meticulously portioned out. As the death toll continued to rise, they were constantly reminded of their precarious situation. At one point only 5 men were well enough to care for the sick.

Yet, inspite of the horrors of their condition, the Pilgrims thanked The Lord every day, petitioning Him for help and direction. God’s answer was a Pateuxet Indian,Squanto, who befriended them and taught the Pilgrims how to hunt game, trap beavers, and plant corn indigenous to the area.

When the harvest yielded more than the Pilgrims could eat, Governor William Bradford declared a day of public thanksgiving. He invited the chief to join in their tribute of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims were excited to celebrate with their honored guest but were completely shocked when he arrived with 90 other Indians.  The initial anxiety about feeding this size group was soon dismissed by the number of deer and wild turkeys brought by the Indians.  

The Pilgrims humble response to their affliction is evidenced by their many writing which express deeply thankful hearts. We can learn countless lessons about sincere thankfulness from their example.   God commands us to live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thes.5:16-18). As we enter into our day of proclaiming thanks, we should endeavor to respond in thanksgiving for how God has led us through hardships and overtook us with many blessings this year.