“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
– Ephesians 5:19-21

Thanksgiving is the story of triumphs, of victory over fear and suffering. What would you do if you believed your children would suffer under your current situation? If you believed that your faith in Jesus could be compromised and even forbidden? If your children were important, you would find a new place to worship and raise your children, hence the Pilgrims. The choices we make to follow our convictions always include suffering, both mental and physical, and it requires much faith just like the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims left England in 1620 for a new world on a small ship called the Mayflower, hoping to arrive in America in June much further south than Plymouth. They arrived in the dead of winter because of setbacks. The ship, only 100 feet long, carried 102 Pilgrims and 30 crew. The Pilgrims lived on the lower cargo deck with no windows and musty, damp, and cold conditions.

Rougher seas in the Atlantic caused most to be seasick for the 66 days of the voyage. They arrived at Cape Cod in November, then sailed north to Plymouth. Of the original 102 people that started out, only 50 remained after the first year. When they arrived at Plymouth, they settled in a clearing that was once a village of the Wampanoag tribe. Without skills to survive in the new environment, they suffered hunger while learning to adapt to the new environment. The Indian, Squanto, was the only Indian left in the village, and he offered support and knowledge. He was indispensable and became the liaison between the Pilgrims and other Indians. After a year, the Pilgrims who survived celebrated their miracle. God had been faithful to meet their needs.

For the first time, they knew that they could survive. Planning a large meal, they invited the Indians to join in. Without the help and knowledge of the Indians, they all would have perished. The Wampanoag chief arrived with 90 of his people and 4 deer. The Pilgrim men hunted and killed enough turkey and other birds for the 4 days of feasting. It was truly a day of giving thanks.

We at Sanctuary Family Farms know the joy of a good harvest. We are thrilled when the goats and cattle multiply. The garden has been abundant enough for us, and we give away thousands of pounds of vegetables and meat. We get to watch our children grow in strength and character. When you’re close to the earth, you’re closer to God. Everything that is good and Godly takes sacrifice. As with the Pilgrims, God has blessed and kept us this season. Have a Godly Thanksgiving with praise to our Father.

– Pa

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