In order to understand the intended purpose of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, it’s important to look at how it began. The first Thanksgiving in America was celebrated in November 1621. A year before that, a ship called the Mayflower left England carrying 102 passengers and about 30 crew members and headed for America. They were in search of making a living on their own and being able to practice their religion freely. In other words, they wanted to pray, serve, and live out their faith as they desired. Not being told what to believe and how to believe it. It was a very long and tough journey but they made it to what is known as Cape Cod, Massachusetts. To a land they had never stepped foot on. They couldn’t ask Alexa what the weather was going to be. They couldn’t order groceries off of instacart. They spent the first winter on the boat. They struggled to find food. They got sick with diseases. Only 53 passengers made it through that winter. Several of the crew died as well. Life was hard for those settlers. Then, they made some friends who changed their lives. Prayers were answered. They met some Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe. A man named Squanto came to meet them. He spoke English and was able to communicate with the sick, tired, and hungry settlers. Squanto lived a hard life. He had been captured and taken to Spain. He was sold into slavery, very similarly to what happened to Joseph in the Bible. God had a plan for Squanto. Just like he had for Joseph. Just like He has for you. Squanto learned to speak English and was able to make his way back to his homeland. He was there at just the right time the English settlers needed him. He taught the Pilgrims (the settlers that came from England) how to plant and harvest corn. He showed them what kind of plants were dangerous. He showed them how to get sap from maple trees to use for their meals. He taught them how to provide for their families by fishing. They were beyond thankful. They planted crops. They made homes. They provided for their families. They fought sickness. The next fall, after harvest, they celebrated. In November of 1621 they had a 3 day feast, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. They knew how to celebrate! This idea of thankfulness seemed to stick. So much so that in 1863 President Abe Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a day of thanksgiving and praise. In 1941 Congress ruled Thanksgiving Day to be a legal holiday. When you spend time appreciating what you have and not focusing on what you don’t have?
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4-6 “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.” There is something that changes in US when we have a heart of thankfulness. When we acknowledge the blessings we have. Not just one day out of the year but every single day. The Bible tells us in Psalms 100:1-5 if we will live everyday this way we will have an attitude of gratitude!!!
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”
Psalms 100:1-5 NKJV
Happy Thanksgiving from Intentional Intimacy Ministries !!
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