FROM THE PULPIT: GIVING THANKS

As you read this, the Thanksgiving weekend is coming to a close. Perhaps you have attended a family gathering, eaten way too much food and watched your fair share of football. I hope you found some way to celebrate this important holiday.

Yes, it is an important holiday. Let us journey back to the first Thanksgiving for a few moments. I was discussing this topic with my own children a few weeks ago, and they told me all about it.

The Pilgrims came to a new land, almost starved to death, and ate a great meal with the Indians. So often we concentrate on the food aspect of it all.

Why did these people leave England and come to America in the first place? Religious freedom. That was the main reason for making the tough journey.

They knew America would be a very different place to live, a place to live freely. How different?

They could not know until they came. They were searching for a place where they could live out their religious beliefs without persecution.

In England, other persons and groups criticized their beliefs and practices constantly.

In America, they certainly found freedom. They also found great hardship. They didn't arrive in time to plant a good crop, and were doomed to a dangerous winter in the New World.

The Native Americans saw these travelers arrive and struggle and eventually offered their food, drink and knowledge.

The Pilgrims were so happy to be in a free land. They were also very happy to be eating a meal.

Eating has always been and will always be an integral part of the Thanksgiving holiday. Still, it is important to know why we gather around the table to eat turkey and all the trimmings.

We gather because they did, so many years ago. We also gather to celebrate the religious freedom we enjoy in this country.

It is because of these persons so long ago, and the great history of our country that we can attend the church of our choice on a Sunday such as this.

We do not persecute others for religious beliefs, we celebrate our religious freedom.

Let us always take a few moments to give thanks for this freedom, for it is not present in many areas of the world today.

We have so much to be thankful for; food, friends, family, freedom. On Thanksgiving especially, but throughout the year as well, let us pause to give thanks.