Thanksgiving

This weekend Americans will celebrate the holiday we call Thanksgiving. History books tell of a day in 1621 when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation gave a great feast after their first harvest, attended by many of the neighboring friendly Indians, who brought fresh game.

But that was not the first Thanksgiving. The first Thanksgiving occurred two years later, in 1623. From the third week in May until mid July there had been no rain, and the corn was barely surviving only because each had been planted with a dead fish. But the heat was beginning to take its toll. The corn was withering and beginning to decay, and the pilgrims were becoming desperate. If they didn't take a good harvest they would starve to death in the winter.

So they set aside a day, as Governor William Bradford later described, "...a solemn day of humiliation, to seek ye Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress."

All of the people sought God. And for all that morning and for most of the afternoon there was not a cloud in the sky, or any sign of rain to be seen, and the sun beat down with all its fury. But then...

...toward evening it began to overcast, and shortly after to rain, with such sweet and gentle showers, as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God. It came, without either wind, or thunder, or any violence, and by degrees in abundance, as that ye earth was thoroughly wet and soaked therewith. Which did so apparently revive and quicken ye decayed corn and other fruits, as was wonderful to see, and made ye Indians astonished to behold; and afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair warm weather, as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy (in time convenient) they also set apart a day of thanksgiving.

That Thanksgiving they had something to truly be grateful for. And they, and the Indians who lived with and around them, knew to whom they were indebted.

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
Psalm 22:4

Thank God for all He's given us. God bless you all, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.