Reflection
When we picture the first Thanksgiving, images of feasts and harvests come to mind. But let’s not forget, this historic celebration took place after a prolonged period of tragedy and hardship. Surely, the Pilgrims and their Native American friends were well aware that hard times still lay ahead. Yet they chose to come together, to pause—even play games, and to thank God for what He had provided.
Let’s reflect on some of the harsh circumstances they endured. In November 1620, the Pilgrims landed in the New World after months of travel delays. They endured repeated ship leakages, postponing their departure, and then persistent storms across the sea. As a result, they arrived too close to winter for planting crops or building adequate shelters.
During that first bitter winter at Plymouth, the Pilgrims sheltered primarily on the Mayflower. Nearly half of the 102 colonists died, mostly from scurvy, pneumonia, exposure, and malnutrition. The first-elected governor, John Carver, fatally collapsed less than six months after the ship landed, and William Bradford became his replacement while still grieving the death of his wife. The situation was so desperate that sometimes rations consisted of just a few kernels of corn per person per day. Can you imagine?
But God never left them. His ever-faithful hand worked through the Native Americans who eventually came to the rescue. The Pilgrims’ first encounter with Samoset led them to Squanto, who was fluent in English and understood their customs. Squanto had lived in England for several years after being kidnapped from the New World by English explorers and sold as a slave. Eventually, Squanto was freed and returned to the New World where he joined the Wampanoag tribe. Despite what Squanto had suffered at the hands of Englishmen, he befriended the Pilgrims and taught them how to prepare sufficiently for their second winter in the New World.
After that first Thanksgiving harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated with great relief. Their gratitude—born not of ease but endurance—was the kind that grows only after persevering in sorrow and persisting in hope.
Their endurance was soon tested again, however. The following year Squanto passed away from illness, and the Pilgrims were learning, through trial and error, how to govern their community for the best possible productivity. When an unexpected drought threatened their second crop, the Pilgrims set aside a day to humble themselves in fervent prayer. According to Governor Bradford’s journal, the Lord responded quickly:
He was pleased to give them a gracious and speedy answer both to their own and the Indians’ admiration that lived amongst them. For all the morning, and greatest part of the day, it was clear weather and very hot and not a cloud or any sign of rain to be seen, yet toward evening, it began to overcast, and shortly after to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God.
In his journal Bradford also wrote that God sent the rain “without either wind or thunder or any violence,” and it was sufficient to “revive and quicken the decayed corn and other fruits.” An Indian named Hobamack even witnessed the answered prayer, declaring, “Now I see that the Englishman’s God is a good God, for He hath heard you and sent you rain.”
As Americans today, other circumstances deeply concern us—from suffering and trials in our personal lives to violence committed against our countrymen and a disappointing election season. As we pause to celebrate God’s provision this Thanksgiving week, let us remember that true gratitude flows not from circumstance, but from hearts fixed on the goodness of God.
May we look to the Pilgrims’ example to humble ourselves and pray; perhaps the Lord will answer us swiftly with His reprieve. But even if He doesn’t answer in the ways we want, we rest knowing that He will provide strength and hope to endure.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart” – Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)
