Thanksgiving means different things to different people. A first-grader expressed his view in this way: “Thanksgiving isn’t all day. It comes suddenly at night for dinner. The Pilgrims ate for a living.”
On December 26, 1620, the Mayflower dropped anchor at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1621, a great feast was held. The Pilgrims called it the Feast of Thanksgiving.
It became their custom to hold such a feast every fall. What circumstances preceded this great celebration? Careful study of the Plymouth Colony reveals a guaranteed Recipe for Thanksgiving. A healthy mixture of these same ingredients in our lives will result in hearts that are truly thankful. To make the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving Recipe easy to remember, we’ll use the acronym T-H-A-N-K-S: Tenacity, Hard Work, Attitude, Neighbors, Kicked Back, Service.
Tenacity: In spite of extreme hardship and death for over half of the colony their first winter, the Pilgrims did not quit and return to England. They came with a God-given dream and waited for His blessing. People who accomplish God’s will and see their dreams fulfilled are people who don’t quit!
Hard Work: The Pilgrims worked hard through the winter, spring, and summer. Blessing eventually came. The Bible says, “A sluggard does not plow in season; at harvest he looks but finds nothing” (Proverbs 20:4). God gives every bird its food, but He doesn’t throw it into the nest!
Attitude: The impetus behind all that went on in Plymouth was a positive attitude. In the New Testament letter to the Philippians Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (4:13). Your attitude will determine your altitude!
Neighbors: The colonists were treated with kindness and compassion by the Indians. The Indian definition of a friend was “one who carries my sorrows on his back.” Had it not been for Squanto and other caring native souls, it’s doubtful the Plymouth Colony would have survived. Everyone needs a friend. The best way to get a friend is to be a friend!
Kicked Back: Tenacity, hard work, a good attitude and good friends enabled the Pilgrims to eventually kick back and have some fun! Accompanied by their Indian friends, they set aside three days for food, games, sports, and dancing! There is a time for work and a time for play. We need a healthy balance of both!
Service: The primary reason the Pilgrims came to America was to worship and serve the God of the Bible in purity and simplicity. They believed in salvation by grace (the unmerited gift of God) through faith in Christ alone. This resulted in service to God out of thanksgiving, not compulsion or recompense. Serve God with an attitude of gratitude!
For a heart that is truly thankful, remember the Recipe for Thanksgiving: Tenacity, Hard Work, a Positive Attitude, having and being a Good Neighbor, Kicking Back, and Service to God from a contrite, thankful heart.