Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving Perseverance, Faith, Hope, and Trust

Every year we celebrate this holiday that falls in November called Thanksgiving. For some it is the mark of the beginning of the Holiday Season, for students it is the four-day weekend before the finals, and others see it as the day before the greatest shopping event of the year. While these things are not insignificant, there is a greater meaning to this holiday. The story behind Thanksgiving is a story of perseverance, faith, hope, and trust in a mighty God.

Prior to the journey to America, the Pilgrims were trying to escape religious persecution in England. They eventually first fled to Holland. However things there went sour which forced their return to England with the intent on going to America. After receiving financing the Pilgrims were ready to make to journey to America to begin a new life. It was August 5, 1620 and the Pilgrims departed from England with two ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower. Yet, after only a day out at the sea they were forced back because the Speedwell began to leak. Repairs were made and a second attempt begun, however, it was thwarted again by leaks on the Speedwell. Finally after much discussion they abandoned the Speedwell and 102 Pilgrims made their journey on the Mayflower. After a few days of good weather, they were met with fierce storms, strong crosswinds that created turbulent seas, which eventually cracked one of the main beams on the ship. With the option to turn around, the leaders discussed that the ship had enough of a strong base to continue with out repair. The beam did not break, but they journey across the Atlantic Ocean was far from smooth. They continued to have violent seas and fierce winds. There was not a day that went by that the ship did not encounter turbulent weather. Their ship endured the long journey 66-day journey and on December 11, 1620 they landed at Cape Cod. The problem; they missed their original landing in Virginia, which was over 600 miles away. Not to be discouraged, the leaders chose to attempt to sail south towards their original destination. But because of the condition of the Mayflower, and strong seas pushing them to the shoals and breakers off the coast, they turned around and anchored at Cape Cod. Though a very dangerous journey, they Pilgrims only lost one life at sea. Praising God, they began their new life. Yet, this uncovered a new set of challenges. The harsh winter months that followed was especially difficult for the Pilgrims. During that time, their numbers dwindled down from 101 to 46. Without the help from the Native American tribe, the Wampanoag, the Pilgrims would not have survived the winter. With the winter behind them the fortune of the Pilgrims began to change. Their first harvest in the new land was one of prosperity. In the autumn months, their leader, Governor William Brandford declared a great Thanksgiving feast. The celebration lasted three days long. The Pilgrims along with 90 members of the Wampanoag tribe celebrated God's provision on their lives. They Pilgrims acknowledged that God provided, protected, and brought them to a new life there on Plymouth Rock.

During this holiday, let us follow the example of the Pilgrims and come together and celebrate all the good things that God has done for us. From small provisions to big miracles, and even times when things are turbulent, let us take time and just say to our heavenly Father, "Thank you." Let us have the heart of Abraham Lincoln when he first declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. He said in his proclamation speech, "To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."