Thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

A reflection from history. 

The winter of 1620 was a hard one for the members of the Plymouth Colony (the Pilgrims).  "November was too late to plant crops. Many settlers died of scurvy and malnutrition during that horrible first winter. Of the 102 original Mayflower passengers, only 44 survived. Again like in Jamestown, the kindness of the local Native Americans saved them from a frosty death."

"The Pilgrims' remarkable courage was displayed the following spring. When the Mayflower returned to Europe, not a single Pilgrim deserted Plymouth."  

"By autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims had much for which to be thankful. After the harvest, Massasoit and about ninety other Indians joined the Pilgrims for the great English tradition of HARVEST FESTIVAL. The participants celebrated for several days, dining on venison, goose, duck, turkey, fish, and of course, cornbread, the result of a bountiful corn harvest. This tradition was repeated at harvest time in the following years."

"It was President Lincoln who declared Thanksgiving a national celebration in 1863. The Plymouth Pilgrims simply celebrated survival, as well as the hopes of good fortune in the years that lay ahead."

Taken from U.S. History "3b. William Bradford and the First Thanksgiving". 

Like the Pilgrims of old, we have much to be thankful for. Every one  of us has a roof over our head, food to eat, family to love, and most important of all, our Savior who loves us with an everlasting love. Psalm 106:1 "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

Let us never forget his great blessings and grace in our lives. No what matter our circumstances may be, we can praise our loving Father for his goodness toward us. Salvation is more than we deserve and yet he didn't stop there. He has given us life and breath, health and strength, provision and faith. Let us offer up praise to the One who gave us life and who sustains us. James 1:17 "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving as you reflect on God's rich and abundant blessings in your life. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!