Fifty-two Pilgrims stood shoulder to shoulder looking around at who was still alive of the 102 that had left Europe the previous year: children without parents, parents without children, husbands missing wives, and grieving widows. The cemetery was a resting place for all their struggles and seemed to be the only place with a growing population. Yet it was a time to celebrate and remember why they were in drafty crude houses with minimum supplies, and always struggling to stay warm, especially during the cold New England winter.
Some, I’m sure, questioned why they’d ever come to Plymouth – a wild place with no modern comforts from Europe. Many people may have believed that giving up family and comfort for their religious beliefs – including having the freedom to worship – would be easy and rewarded in this New World with plenty. That was not the case. Daily their flesh suffered from the circumstances, and it challenged their core belief in God, making it almost unbearable. It was hardship, forging their convictions of saving their children from the immorality of Europe and establishing a faith in freedom. Some may have imagined giving up and going back from where they came from, but none did.
Everyone that triumphs in this life must wrestle with the struggles that bring conviction as seen in Hebrews chapter 11, that wonderful chapter with the heroes of our faith. These words are etched on the hearts of outstanding men and women of faith. Truly these Pilgrims wore the badge of sacrifice and courage. Some only looked back at Europe like the Hebrew children did of Egypt remembering the fruit and vegetables, not the straw and bricks of slavery.
Every victory was celebrated. Every harvest was received with genuine thanks. They understood the need for daily bread. Their faith and hard work had brought bounty. “Eat all you want,” was the greeting at each meal now. It’s possible that all their wanting, hunger, and desperation had prepared them to receive the Natives, not with arrogance, but as a gift that God had sent to help with their survival. God had made a way, and now they shared their faith and food with the Natives, as they embraced the Pilgrims as their new neighbors.
Someone has said that without sacrifice or suffering, there is no genuine appreciation. My appreciation goes back to our forefathers for their belief in freedom of religion and even further back to the cross where Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Halloween is pagan, Thanksgiving is sacred, the cross is life itself. This Thanksgiving, remember to remember.
– Written by Pa
Meet the authors.
Listen to us discuss our blogs on our YouTube channel.
