The Pilgrims Of Hope & Thanksgiving

Our nation has a rich and costly heritage. From the first foreign footsteps made on the coastal beaches of the Atlantic, to the far reaching shores of the Pacific, battles have been fought, lives have been lost and freedoms gained. Yet, in all of her discord, American continues to struggle with the same issues and balance among her national laws, local community practices, and individual freedom of beliefs as her original founding forefathers. I recently visited one of our nation’s oldest settlements in Williamsburg, VA. In doing some reading and researching I found some stark similarities between the colonist of the 1600’s to the current citizens of today’s Americans. For instances, although most colonists considered themselves Christians, it did not mean that they lived in a culture of religious unity. Instead, differing Christian groups often believed that their own practices and faiths provided unique values that needed protection against those who disagreed, driving a need for rules and regulation, so they sought to fight for their religious observances thereby making laws that mandated how they would govern their new colonies. Much of the order of things was brought on through much discord and disagreement. Yet even in the midst of such a great diversity, liberty prevailed giving birth to a new nation and America was destined for greatness because of it. Today, thousands upon thousands try both legally and illegally to enter her borders for much of the same reasons that the first pilgrims and Puritans did, long ago. For most of us, we have an enduring hope that while we may differ with each other on many levels, we share in the same hope that we may be able to live amongst each other in peace as we practice our own beliefs, be them political or religious ones. While there may be a dark horse that always appears in the horizon wherever freedom dwells, if we ban together, we can defeat it and continue to enjoy the fruit of our father’s labor. By autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims had much for which they were thankful for and found reason to celebrate in spite of their own hardships, differences and struggles. The Plymouth Pilgrims were simply celebrating their survival and the hopes they had of good fortune in the years that lay ahead of them. They did not base their hopes and dreams in their past circumstances, but in the future of what they believed they could accomplish together as they shared a common goal of freedom and liberty for all. We can expend so much of our energy complaining, blessing no one, left only with the bitter taste of regret and sorrow. Or, like our fore fathers, we can continue to work hard and make a difference in our homes, families and the world in which we live. The apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, to, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”. Yes, even in hardships, disagreements and the dark horses that threaten our peace and way of life. It was hope and thanksgiving that kept the Pilgrims determined to persevere and that same hope remains the determining factor and drive for us today. Never give up! Never give up!

Hold Fast,

Bren