It’s here. The holiday for eating turkey and pie and gathering with family you haven’t seen in a long time, and falling asleep after dinner in your chair. The first “unofficial” Thanksgiving feast was celebrated 391 years ago near what is now Plymouth, MA. A small gathering of men and women who had survived their first winter in the “New World” and successfully harvested their first corn, thanks to the Native Americans who taught them what they needed to survive. Only half of the original Mayflower crew survived — half. That’s roughly 50 people! They planted their feet here, and planted their corn….and here we are today. In a country, and particularly a state, with such a great legacy of perseverance and triumph and complete dependence on God. And amazingly, almost 400 years later, we continue to celebrate this day — this act — of giving thanks. I feel moved by that this year — perhaps on the heels of Hurricane Sandy, and the Presidential election, and the obvious need our country has right now for firm soil and trust in God. Or perhaps (with all due respect and love to my family) I’m old enough now that the turkey and pumpkin pie and laughter around the table doesn’t seem like the end of the story. My small gratitude’s of a warm home and friends to share with, are part of an eternal song of thanks. I’m adding my notes to the melody the Pilgrims added to, the song in the air that reminds us. “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:18
Happy Thanksgiving!
