EDWARD WINSLOW
While they were waiting for the harvest of 1623, they lived four or five days at a time on a few grains of corn. From their experience came the legend of the five kernels of corn. Their hopes rested on a good fall harvest, but the harvest of 1623 was almost wiped out. A six week drought began in June and the crops turned brown and were slowly withering away. They turned to the only hope they had – intervention by God, and appointed a solemn day of humiliation and prayer.
The Pilgrims assembled one July morning under a hot, clear sky and for nine hours prayed. Their prayers were answered the next morning, wrote Edward Winslow, and for the next two weeks distilled such soft, sweet and moderate showers that it was hard to say whether our withered corn or drooping affections were most quickened and revived. Governor Bradford ordered that July 30,1623 be set aside as a day of public thankfulness.
Pastor Dan encouraged us to put five kernels of corn next to each plate on Thanksgiving Day. Each person is to take each kernel and tell something they are thankful for. We are going to take his advice at our Thanksgiving meal.
I thought I would get a head start and tell you five things I am thankful for.
CYNDA AND GAVIN
Photo by Jeannie Amos
I am so thankful for my family. My parents, sisters, kids, grandkids and extended family. I feel sorry for people who do not have good family ties.
JANSSEN PARK IN MENA, ARKANSAS
I love the little corner of the world that I live in. I'm thankful that I can live in a small town surrounded by such beauty.
WITH FRIENDS IN SAN PEDRO, BELIZE
I'm so lucky to have so many friends. I am amazed when I realize that I have friends around the world. I'm thankful for friendship. It makes life so interesting and meaningful.
TEXAS WILDFLOWERS
I'm thankful for the beauty that God shows us in nature. I see beauty every day, and I am reminded that God is the creator.
I am thankful for my church family. The warmth and love that I feel each week when I attend church is so special. I feel spiritually blessed, and emotionally fulfilled being apart of this church.
Now it's your turn. What are you thankful for? Remember the story of the five kernels of corn
Even with so much turmoil in the world, we have so much we should be thankful for. Today is the day to reflect and give thanks. God bless you and yours.
ReplyDeleteYour post are always a delight and the pictures are great! A great idea from your pastor with this 5 corn kernels!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you, Richie!
We have much to be grateful for, always. The story of the 5 kernels of corn is a good reminder. This day, and every day, I am thankful for: a God who loves me; my family and friends; a home; adequate food and clothing; and, considering my age, reasonably good health.
ReplyDeleteI had a lovely Thanksgiving Day at my son's home, surrounded by children, grandchildren and friends... and way too much food.
"Lord, keep us mindful of, and responsive to, the needs of others."
What a great story! I think you might have started a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition if you followed your pastors suggestion and placed five kernels of corn beside each plate.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Canada ... but I'll play ... I'm thankful for my friends and family, for a wonderful caring and understanding husband, for all of the beauty in the world (I can find beauty almost anywhere), I'm thankful I live in a country that allows me freedom and many rights, and I'm thankful I live in a country where all of my needs are easily taken care of (clean water, abundant food, a warm home, safe streets, good people, national health care).
I forgot to say Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteNice story. Very true, I am thankful to my family and my siblings and their families. Enjoyed every gatherings with them. Also thankful to my childhood friend of 40 years (oops did I revealed my age)...hehehe
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post. And I love that bridge. Excellent work :-)
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