11/14/2015
I have here a copy of a Pilgrim’s letter that will show you what a life of thankfulness looks like. The original letter was written in 1620 by a young lady named Elizabeth who came to Plymouth Rock aboard the Mayflower. Does everyone know about the Mayflower?
As I mentioned, this young lady’s name was Elizabeth and she wrote this letter while she was on the Mayflower. It was written to her aunt, Constance, who remained behind in England. As I’m reading it, pay attention to the things Elizabeth is thankful for.
As I’m reading, listen for the words, “thank, thanks, thanksgiving or thankful”. Whenever you hear those words, , I want you to clap loudly, and remember to pay attention to this question: “What is Elizabeth thankful for?”
"Dear Aunt Constance,
When the weather is fair, the days are much the same. We pray and give thanks as we rise in the morning and we say thanks before and after our meals. For food, we commonly have peas or beans, cheese and ship’s biscuits. We have some water but they say it will soon go bad. Did I tell you I have a friend? Her name is Mary and I am so thankful for her. Mary and I play games, tell riddles, sing or speak to each other often…In one storm, a young man was thrown into the sea but by God’s good will he caught hold of a line that was dragging into the water and was saved. We were all thankful! Just a fortnight ago, there came the worst storm yet. Aunt Constance, I thought we would all surely drown and become food for the fishes. The ship’s upper works were leaking and all of a sudden there was a great snap! Master Carver told us that one of the main beams had cracked. Many of the crew wanted to go back to England but it was decided we would continue. Thus, we put our faith in God, offering him prayer and thanksgiving, and we continue to press on. I do not think that I can stand such a fright again. I pray that we reach the New World soon.
Your loving niece,
Elizabeth"
What are YOU thankful for?
There’s a difference between being given something, and being thankful for that things you’ve been given. Sometimes, we aren’t thankful for the wonderful, awesome things we’ve been given.
I’ve had plenty of air to breathe all day long – that’s a wonderful, awesome thing – but honestly, I haven’t been thankful for it. I haven’t said, “God, thank you for the air you’ve given me to breathe today.” I haven’t even really thought about the air I’ve been breathing today. And that’s just one example. Every second of every day, God is giving us life and breath and everything else - that’s what it says in Acts 17:25 – and I hardly ever stop to just be thankful for these wonderful, awesome gifts that God is freely giving me all the time. So why is that?
“The most important reason to learn to speak is so you can speak the praises of God.
The most important reason to learn to sing is so you can sing the praises of God.
The most important reason to learn to write is so you can write the praises of God.”
Be truly thankful for all thing God has supplied to you and be willing to share your blessing with others whether it be in speech, song or writing. Share God's Word and Blessings.
