Lessons from the Pilgrims, Part 5: 400 Years Later

 

As I keep listening to Bradford's "Of Plimoth Plantation", the following thoughts came together on my Instagram account @chronic.hannah 

"They fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven."
- Pilgrim William Bradford 

It's Thanksgiving! If you think about the important history behind this celebration, you likely picture the Pilgrims dressed in their finest, feasting with their new neighbors - the native American Indians. You remember that they celebrated for days and enjoyed games and competitions.

But I am getting a much clearer picture of the setting for this event as I listen through the history recorded by Pilgrim Governor William Bradford (just search his name on LibriVox.org for the free audiobook.) Within a few months of arrival to their new home (an inhospitable wilderness with insufficient supplies, reached by a perilous journey after years of persecution and exile), half of the Pilgrims had died.

Besides years lacking basic supplies, clothing, and most of all - food, the Pilgrims would now face empty promises, deceit, and betrayal by members of their funding organization back home and from new settlers joining them only in hopes of personal gain.

How did they respond? By seeking God's wisdom, trusting Him for provision, seeking to love and serve their enemies, and, yes, GIVING THANKS!

I think the Pilgrims would be appalled at the tone of Thanksgiving now. Theirs was no vague "feeling" of gratitude for their blessings. They thanked GOD. When they had endless reasons for fear, discouragement, and complaint, they chose to look up and remember God's love and faithfulness.

400 years later, I need to learn from the Pilgrims. And not just on Thanksgiving Day!