This is going to be an interesting Thanksgiving. Because of the unexpected downturn in the economy, this is the first year I have made no plans to shop on Black Friday. Matter of fact, I don’t even feel like shopping right now.
Family and friends, never fear, I can’t stay away from the mall that long, eventually I will make the annual pilgrimage to the stores and purchase each of you fabulous (and most likely on sale) gifts 🙂
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. We are the only country which has set aside a weekday to give thanks to our creator (those were George Washington’s words) and our neighbor alike. As I have revisited the history behind this special day, this year I feel a tad more connected with the early pilgrims. The pilgrims were actually Puritan Christians who paid a shipping company to bring them to the “New World.” The puritan movement began in England. When they pushed for reforms in the Church of England, they encountered persecution and fled to the Dutch lands which was more religiously tolerant. However, they soon discovered that the people were tolerant in almost every sense of the word and feared their future living in such a secular society. They longed for a land where they could practice their brand of simplistic Christian faith in peace and freedom.  Their drive for freedom led over 100 of them to take the chance of a lifetime, cross the harsh Atlantic sea in November 1620 and create their future in the New World. However, the boats got off course and they did not land in the warm waters of Virginia, but the frigid waters of Mattachettues.

Half of the Puritan settlers died in the first winter from sickness, cold and starvation. Eventually spring came and along with the warmer weather so did some friendly indians. Who, out of kindness, showed them how to plant corn and other crops, make houses, and survive in the wilderness of the Northeast. That summer, they had a bumper crop from their plantings and celebrated with a three day feast inviting the kind indian neighbors.

The early pilgrims did not at all see the harsh winter, lost loved ones and almost utter devastation that was to befall them. But God in his goodness, sent some of his other precious people to assist in rebuilding the frazzled and bewildered settlers. Eventually, their lives were rebuilt and their love for God planted seeds of devotion in this fertile land.

This November is effecting many of us like the first November the Pilgrims discovered. Our economy has lost 2 Trillion dollars in the last few weeks, many have lost jobs and are feeling a sense of bewilderedness . We have found ourselves living though a very chilly fall season we didn’t see coming. We were hoping for the warm waters of a self correcting economy, but instead have landed smack in the middle of a horrendous storm of financial loss, untested leadership , and bailouts.

You may ask where is God? He is with you. Jesus promised never to leave or forsake us. Our God is the God of the valley and the mountain and as Psalm 23 promises, He will restore our soul.

Thanksgiving may be an American holiday, but it is a Christian’s mandate because it causes a refocus of our perspective. You cannot give thanks and have a grudging heart. And you cannot operate in faith without thanksgiving.

Remembering how God brought the pilgrims that terrible winter of 1620/1621 can be a true reminder that God will bring us through also. Spring will come and only God knows who he has waiting to come and help us. You have the favor of God on your life and His mercies are new every morning.

Enjoy the family, the feast and the football tomorrow. Take some personal time to say Thanks to our precious, loving savior. Keep and attitude of gratitude and together, we will make it through……..