What is Thanksgiving to you?

I remember when I understood that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving in the same way. One of my best friends, Kenny, went with his new bride to her families Thanksgiving Day celebration. Everyone was having a great time. Football on the television, enough turkey to feed the block, and wonderful family stories being told by all. Then it was time for desert. Kenny looked and didn't see any pumpkin pie. He assumed that it, along with the cool whip, had been placed in another room. He asked the obvious question, "where is the pumpkin pie?" The reply came quickly that they had mincemeat pie. Shock and confusion rushed into Kenny's brain' mince-meat what? How could any sane family dare celebrate Thanksgiving without PUMPKIN PIE?

It was then, as an adult, that I realized that not everyone celebrates this holiday in the exact same manner. Football, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, pumpkin pie (with a generous helping of cool whip please), and turkey sandwiches at night, and waking up at 4:00am the next day was not embraced by everyone.

In fact...it is what for many Americans has morphed into their Thanksgiving time. It has changed. In fact it has changed so much that the vast majority of people either don't care bout the true heritage or have forgotten the significance of the inception of this holiday. Thanksgiving had been celebrated long before the New World (America) was discovered, but the holiday's significance was defined by What happened in 1620-1621. A group of 110 Pilgrims set sail and landed in Plymouth Colony and the population was devastated during the winter. Over 50% of the people died that first year. But in a providential occurrence, two Indians (Samoset and Squanto) showed the Pilgrims how to grow corn and other crops. The harvest in October 1621 was so successful that they called for a celebration; Thanksgiving. Following is the story recorded by 2 Pilgrim governors, Edward Winslow and William Bradford:

Winslow: "our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others.  And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want,  that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." 

Bradford: "They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty.  For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees).  And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion.  Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

THANKSGIVING TO GOD! Simply put that is what it was about. Yes it what celebrated with games and activities and food (turkey, deer, corn, etc) and with new friends, the Indians. But first and foremost it was a recognition of Gods sovereignty. His rule. His provision. His care. 

This year, pause and reflect and remember and GIVE thanks to God. Even though times might have been rough for you, your family, or your friends; know that God is who he said He his. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.