So I finally got these things done! It took me forever to find a morning where it wasn't too cold and the traffic too bad. The place I wanted to go wasn't available so we had to improvise. I think they turned out pretty well considering all the tears over having to stand still I had to mop up! I can't wait until Sawyer is old enough to not fight me about taking pictures all the time!!
We went on a cruise to the Bahamas and it was so much fun! Seriously, we had a blast! The water was beautiful blue (see above) but it was a little chilly.
In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue; but it wasn’t until 1621 that the Pilgrims set foot on America’s shores. The European settlers that we lovingly know as the “pilgrims” set sail on the Mayflower in September of 1620. After sixty-six days at sea the Mayflower landed, so to speak, at Cape Cod. They were significantly north of their Hudson River destination.
Winters (and spring, if I dare say) can be brutally cold in the northeast. Because of harsh conditions most of the Mayflower’s colonists stayed on board the ship where they were exposed to scurvy, outbreaks of contageous disease and just plain cold weather. By the time spring finally arrived only half of the ships 102 passengers and crew were alive to settle the land.
When the pilgrims finally left the ship they received a visit from an Abenaki Indian that spoke fluent english. What a surprise! Can you imagine the joy they felt? Can you imagine their relief? This man introduced the pilgrims to an Indian from the Pawtuxet tribe named Squanto, who also spoke fluent english.
Now Squanto has a good story. If you’ve ever wanted one; he’s got it. Squanto was kidnapped by an English sea captain, sold into slavery and sent to London, where he lived until he was able to return home with an exploritory expidition crew. Can you imagine the fear he felt when going to meet these English sea men?
Back to the story…
So after the long journey, and even longer winter, the Pilgrims finally had found some luck. Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to live off the land. They learned how to farm, extract sap, fish and avoid poisonous plants. In November, after the corn had been harvested and some deer (that is what the historians* say was eaten…) were killed the Pilgrims, Squanto and some friends from the Wampanoag Tribe all sat down to a feast.
The purpose of the feast was to count their blessings, to truly name them one by one. Oh, how I wish I could be a fly on the tree at that Thanksgiving dinner. It was a time to reflect on the hardship and struggle that had led each one of them to that table on that day with those people. And, as I am sure you do as well, I imagine that the Spirit of the Lord was with them while they gave thanks for that day, that table and those people.
The same is true for us.
How often do we overlook the blessings that we have because of the trials that we endure? How many blessings do we have as a nation because we went through some dark days and nights? I can think of a few:
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1. After the Revolutionary War, America emerged as a nation and we now have a constitution that stands in tact. We have a country where anyone can work hard and succeed regardless of race, class, religion or wealth.
2. Speaking of race. Our country endured the dark days of segregation and the Civil Right’s movement and we now have an amazing culture that values diversity and accepts people as they are.
3. The Women’s Suffrage movement sparked the greatest increase in rights for a minority group in American history possibly. But the women who stood up for Women’s Rights endured hellish ordeals.
How many blessings do you have because of the trials you have been through? Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve seen a few things. And for a really long time I wondered why. Why did I have to endure that. I couldn’t see the reason behind it. In the last few weeks though, I’ve really seen the Lord’s hand in those parts of my life. If you’ll allow me to be cliché I must say that hind sight really is 20/20.
Today, as we draw closer to Thanksgiving Day, I stand before you and say I am so grateful for my trials. I am so grateful for every bad day, every bad night, every tear filled prayer and for every prayer that I thought was unanswered. I am grateful for my trials because it led me to this day. It led me to the people that I get to sit with at Thanksgiving dinner and share my gratitude with. That day, that table, those people.
My people.
May we all remember the blessings we’ve been given as we start this holiday season. We have all been richly blessed, even if we don’t know it yet.
This is what I know.
*My research on Pilgrims was done at www.history.com
