In the late summer of 1620, a little band of Puritans, known today as the Pilgrims, set sail from England on the Mayflower with a destination of Virginia in the New World. They had originally hoped to reach America by early October, but the ship got blown off course and ended up hundreds of miles north at Cape Cod. For thirteen weeks, they bounced along the coast until they landed at Plymouth. By the time they got situated, the frigid winter was upon them. During that first winter, they dug seven times as many graves as they built homes. Fifty of the original one hundred and two settlers died. A second ship bringing relief arrived, but instead of relief it only added thirty-five additional settlers with no additional provisions.
A discussion arose among them as to whether they should give up and go back to England or stay and face the consequences. They decided to plant one crop of corn and barley and pray that God would grant them mercy. He did, and they survived. Legend has it that food was so scarce that some days each person only got five kernels of corn with which to survive. Following that first year, the Pilgrims began a custom of putting five kernels of corn on each empty plate before Thanksgiving dinner was served to remind them of how God had provided and for what they were to be thankful. The first kernel reminded them of prosperity; the second kernel a reminder of family and friends; the third kernel for the church; the fourth for Jesus Christ; and the fifth for heaven.
In the 103rd psalm, the psalmist declared, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits.” Like the psalmist, I would like to take the time to praise the Lord and thank Him for all his blessings: for my health and abilities that enable me to minister for His glory; for my wife that endures both my good habits as well as my bad; for my daughters and the lives they have built; for my granddaughters that bring a smile to my face when they are around; for my friends, both in ministry and outside of ministry that encourage and challenge me; for my church family that prays for me, humors me even when I tell lame jokes, and makes me feel like the greatest pastor in the world. But most of all, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who paid my sin debt so that I could experience life in its fullness both now and forever.
When was the last time you praised the Lord and thanked him for all his blessings? In the month that is known for thanksgiving, take time to consider all that God has done for you and show your gratefulness in worship, in praise, and in faithful service.
With a Grateful Heart,
Pastor Bill