Thanksgiving is full of so many legends, some of which are rich with beautiful stories of Pilgrims, Native Americans, and U.S. Presidents. The original story goes that Pilgrims were out “fowling” for turkeys and other birds to eat, killing so many birds that they had enough food to eat for about a week. The next day, the Wampanoag tribe unintentionally met with the Pilgrims and they had a feast together, contributing their own food and having peaceful relations with each other for years afterward.
Whether the exact event played out like that in 1621, we don’t know. But we do know that the Wampanoag tribe and Pilgrims did have a generally positive relationship, which is unlike other experiences early settlers had with Native Americans. And I think it cannot be understated that this has something to do with the Pilgrim’s faith. Their reasons for colonizing America were not for gold or glory, but for religious freedom, to express their adoration of God in a new land. It was not an easy or glamorous trip to do what they did, and understanding that makes the ground we stand on a little more precious. It’s probably why our first president, George Washington, said the following in his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789:
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.*”
Any day is a great day to celebrate our gratitude, but this week is an especially purposeful opportunity. Even in struggle, there is always something to be thankful for. We can reach out to God in worship by acknowledging his providence, being grateful for his benefits and imploring his protection and favor. By worshipping God in thanksgiving, it takes us out of ourselves for a moment and transfers our focus to something bigger than ourselves. To worship God is to be grateful.
I hope you enjoy the most of this week, and that your soul finds what it needs, whether that is rest, family, comfort, joy, or food. No matter what, find a way to be grateful, and it will make everything else even sweeter.
*Quote from George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789