PILGRIMS, MINVANS & THANKFULNESS

Okay, I am not a Pilgrim, but I would like to have been one. They were a gritty lot. They left the comfort and security of England for the new world where there were no groceries stores or ready-made homes for them to move into.

They had to start from scratch.

Need food? Grow it. Want shelter from the winter? Build it. Cold? Chop down a tree.

Now, that I think about it. I’m pretty comfortable sitting here in my heated and air-conditioned minivan headed to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving!!!

I look at the window at wide open spaces. Beautiful fall trees line the paved roads. Signs telling me how close we are to the nearest town, where to grab a bite to eat if I’m hungry, and where to get gas if I am running low on fuel.  

I don’t even need to bring a map. All I need is my phone.

Does anyone remember the days of unfolding a large map on the dashboard and trying to figure out how far you were from your destination or even if you were on the right road??

We stand here today on the shoulders of those who have gone before us!!!!

The Pilgrims lost nearly half of their number on the first winter. They buried the dead at night so the surrounding Indians would not know of their dwindling numbers. The well took care of the sick, and if the sick recovered…they nursed the ones who became ill caring for them.

They built their own lodgings. They chopped their own trees and learned to grow their own food.

And they prayed.

They trusted in the God of Abraham and Moses. If God could take them to a new land, surely, they could trust Him to lead, provide and care for them in the New World.

And He did.

The fact that we here is evidence of the faithfulness of God to those who have gone before.

We are about an hour away from our campgrounds in Oklahoma where we will huddle up before a fire and share a Thanksgiving meal. Children will throw rocks into the lake, dogs will run freely, and sweet conversations will take place as we sip on hot cocoa.
Our God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the God of Moses. He is the God who put on skin and came down to us to love  and redeem us. Jesus Christ incarnate, image of the invisible God.

Our God is the same, yesterday, today and forever!!!

He still leads. He still provides and still cares. As grateful as I am for this country and for those who have gone before, I look forward to a newer and even better world!!!

If there are moments of pure joy in this life, what we’ve got coming has got to be good!!!!

Last Sunday, we gave a shout out to God. I love it!! Let’s keep it going.

Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.