A Thanksgiving heart
A Thanksgiving heart
A Thanksgiving heart
Eight hundred years ago Meister Eckhart wrote, "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, thank you,' that would suffice."
Across the country many have felt the ups and downs of the past year. Yet Thanksgiving has always held a special place for us as a nation, because it was born in the midst of severe trial, reminding us to always remember the good.
As Thornton Wilder shared, "We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
When the pilgrims arrived in North America in the seventeenth century, many believed they were under divine call to establish another Promised Land, a New Jerusalem. However, disease and sickness were taking their toll.
Scurvy and the flu from months at sea and weeks spent trekking through the snow were decimating their numbers. Their small band shrank by as many as three people a day.
They chose to bury their dead at night, so the Indians would not know the extent of their loss.
When the worst of it was over, nearly half their original number remained, though they fared better than Jamestown which was almost completely obliterated by a 90% mortality rate.
Their salvation came from a most unexpected place, Indians. Two in particular helped save the weary band, Samoset and Squanto.
Squanto had spent nine years in England when he met Captain John Smith, who promised to return him to his homeland. But before reaching his home, Squanto was taken captive by Thomas Hunt who sold him into slavery.
Later he was rescued by some friars and did indeed return to his native land. When he arrived he was devastated to find that no member of his tribe was left alive.
Having lost a reason to live, Squanto wandered aimlessly across the countryside. Eventually he heard about a band of Europeans struggling to stay alive. Along with Samoset, he worked as an interpreter and advocate between the colony and Chief Massasoit.
After the chief and his warriors left, Squanto stayed behind with the Pilgrims, teaching them how to plant corn and catch fish. He also taught them about herbs, medicine, maple syrup and pumpkins.
Grateful to God that they survived, a day in October 1621 was set aside for giving thanks. A feast was shared with the local tribes and the day was spent in laughter and in sport.
Facing overwhelming odds, the early settlers taught us the importance of remembering the good. So may this holiday be a reminder to be living examples of Seneca's words, "Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart."
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