Did
you know that there were TWO Thanksgivings? While I was recently preparing a
lesson for the youth on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, I came across the
account of the pilgrims. Much of what were taught in school about the pilgrims
focused on their circumstances. They had to escape from England to be able to have
religious freedom and such. But I have never seen their story in the context of
their spirituality.
“But the Pilgrims’ trials were far from finished; their
plentiful autumn was followed by a particularly treacherous winter.
Unfortunately, the weather proved to be the least of their ailments. In
November a ship called The Fortune dropped anchor in their harbor. Aboard the
ship were thirty-five more colonists who had brought with them no provisions —
no food, no extra clothing, no equipment for survival. Additionally, the
oppression of the physical environment had become almost unbearable after a
twelve-week drought dried up their crops and withered their spirits. The
newcomers’ arrival had drained already inadequate food rations and there was no
obvious resource for sustenance. At their lowest point, the Pilgrims were
reduced to a daily ration of five kernels
of corn apiece. In utter desperation they fell to their knees and prayed
for eight hours without ceasing.
Again God heard their supplications; fourteen days of
rain followed. A second Day of Thanksgiving was declared. The neighboring
Indian chief was again their honored guest; he brought with him one hundred and
twenty braves. The Pilgrims feasted on game and turkey as they had during their
previous celebration, only this time one dish was different. The first course,
served on an empty plate in front of each person, consisted of five kernels of corn, a gentle reminder
of God’s faithful provision for them.” (www.biblestudyplanet.com)
Five
kernels of corn was their daily ration. I wanted to understand the size of a
kernel of corn so I searched it on Wikipedia.
“Corn kernels are the seeds of maize. Though technically a grain, maize
kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable or starch. One ear of corn contains
roughly 800 kernels in 16 rows… The
grains are about the size of peas, and adhere in
regular rows round a white, pithy substance, which forms the ear. An ear can
commonly hold 600 kernels and be 7 in (178 mm) in length.” (www.wikipedia.org)
At
the pilgrims lowest point they took the time to pray for eight hours without stopping.
God answered their prayers and then they appointed another public time of
Thanksgiving.
Celebrating
with thanksgiving what God has done for us doesn’t necessarily have to be done
once a year. The next time you are anxious about your situation remember that
you can pray to God and He will do a great work.
“Do
not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
