I think of Thanksgiving as the quintessential American holiday. Somehow, my Grandma Szlavik, born and raised in the old country, learned to cook a Thanksgiving feast. No mac and cheese or green bean casserole, but they didn’t have those at the first Thanksgiving.

John Winslow gave this account of the 1621 celebration. “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you, partakers of our plenty.”

By the goodness of God . . . That’s a phrase we ought to remember today. God is good and we give thanks accordingly. Maybe this simple children’s prayer will do it.

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.

Read 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne