Thanksgiving Part 2

They began on Sept. 16, 1620, on the Mayflower and arrived in Cape Cod (Nov. 11, 1620). These first-generation Americans stepped into the beginning of the terrifying New England winter in a new world with no shelter.

According to their compact they had come for one reason. They wrote, “having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.” (www.mayflowercompact.org)

They were in a place many times we are in when we make a commitment to Christ and then have difficulty.

The question we ask is the same they would have asked, “Will I continue or quit?”

This small community began to build shelters and with the help of the natives trusted God to get them through the valley of the winter, disease and so many other challenges. As they were striving against the elements to build the shelters, most stayed and endured the winter on the ship. To understand how much difficulty and danger they endured, it is incredible that in the spring only 52 people were living of the 102 that had set out from England.

With all of this and the help of the natives about a year later they had a successful corn harvest. Under the direction of Governor William Bardford a feast and celebration was organized.

One of them wrote, “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” -www.history.com

Eventually about two hundred years later Abraham Lincoln made the final Thursday a day of Thanksgiving in America. -history.com

I think there are three points that we need to emphasis in our lives.

First, be thankful for everything.

Second, remember everything that has come to you is by the goodness of God.

Third, make sure and stop to take time to be thankful.

Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

If you have a question you would like answered for future columns email mathewvroman@gmail.com