Let us come before him with thanksgiving.
—Psalm 95:2
On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower, carrying 102 passengers, sailed from Plymouth, England. On November 11, it dropped anchor on the New England coast at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts
In the autumn of 1621, those pilgrims gathered to thank God for the blessings of their first year in this land. Their joy was mixed with sadness because half of the original passengers of the Mayflower had died—victims of disease, a harsh winter, and encounters with native tribesmen.
Life was hard. Still, the harvest had been bountiful, and the future was bright with hope. In this new land, they were free to pursue their dreams. For this, they gave thanks.
As fortunate descendants of those initial immigrants, on this Thanksgiving Day, let us pause to thank God for what we have and where we are.
Happy Thanksgiving.