If I Were A Pilgrim

Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.)  1 Thess. 5:16-18  Voice

Would you have been thankful that first Thanksgiving? To truly answer that question we have to know what the Pilgrims faced. They left the comfort and protection of their homes to take a trip so hazardous that they were advised to “first make thy will.” They actually left England on August 5,1620 with two ships the Speedwell and the Mayflower. However, the Speedwell was known to leak and it continued to do so in spite of being repaired several times. At that point the decision was made to transfer the cargo over to the Mayflower and turn back to England. Some of the passengers also decided to go on to the new world, and then boarded an already overloaded and cramped Mayflower.

At this point the Pilgrims had been on the ship for over a month and spent another 66 days at sea. Many became seasick, provisions were dwindling and worse of all, they were blown off course. Finally on November 9 they spotted Cape Cod. They were now facing the coastal storms of winter and decided not to try to go to their intended destination in Virginia where there were other settlers who came before, but to stay where they were. According to Governor Bradford within weeks most were sick due to the harsh winter and little food. Within two or three months time half of them died from scurvy and other diseases, sometimes at the rate of two or three per day.                                  Supplies ran out and their sponsors refused to send any more. Then in Spring the Indians helped them plant crops, but their harvest was dismal. In spite of all this the Indians shared their bounty and the Pilgrims had a feast to celebrate and give thanksgiving.

Now consider, if you would have been on a cramped ship for months, ran out of provisions, landed at the wrong place, got sick , watched your friends die and spent a year of heartbreak and tragedy would you have wanted to celebrate it and be thankful? Then again, maybe there was a first thanksgiving because they were thankful IN ALL things.