I arose early this morning to begin with thanks this day we celebrate as Thanksgiving. As I was praying and thanking God for a host of blessings including my family, friends, and most of all Jesus my Savior and Lord, I could not help but think back to those early days of our nation. The pilgrims had come to this land for religious freedom and a fresh start.

Those early few years were difficult indeed. In 1622 there was a real and legitimate fear of starvation. It is in fact reported that things were so bad that each person was rationed five kernels of corn each day. [1] Yet in these times of struggle Governor William Bradford and the people never doubted that God was with them and providential over even these difficult circumstances. They were thankful even for the little supply of food.

There would come a time of plenty for the Pilgrims and there would eventually be a celebration in which the Wampanoag Indians would come to celebrate the abundance. But, before all of this there would be times so difficult as to strip the Pilgrims of any self-reliance leaving them totally dependant upon God for provision and sustenance.
This Thanksgiving most of us will eat meals of which most of the world could not dream. Do not feel guilty. Be Thankful and remember those who have little or nothing this day in prayer and in your giving. But, also remember those early days of our nation when our forefathers had little. I believe in the end that those Pilgrims were thankful even for their struggle for in their times of want they saw the hand of God provide every step of the way.

We all have difficult seasons of life. Going through those times I have often wondered “where is God in all of this?” Circumstances may even seem chaotic and hopeless. However, I am always amazed when I look back over difficult times in my life. Looking back it is not difficult to see God’s hand in my life and circumstances. I see that those times were not chaotic and hopeless. On the contrary, God was working very deliberately in those difficult places.

I guess we come to a place of spiritual maturity when in the midst of those circumstances we can trust God implicitly knowing that He is moving even when we cannot understand it or recognize His hand of provision….even when there are only five kernels of corn on the plate. Have a Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving- chad
[1] The "Five Kernels of Corn" material is based largely on the work of Susan E. Roser of the Canadian Mayflower Society taken from http://www.rootsweb.com/~mosmd/#part6

“Five Kernels of Corn”

'Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,


The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;


Through the warm purple skies steered the geese o'er the seas,


nd the woodpeckers tapped in the clocks of the trees;


And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,


and dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.


The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;


There were left but for rations Five Kernels of Corn.


Five Kernels of Corn!


Five Kernels of Corn!


But to Bradford a feast were Five Kernels of Corn!
"Five Kernels of Corn! Five Kernels of Corn!


Ye people, be glad for Five Kernels of Corn!"


So Bradford cried out on bleak Burial Hill,


And the thin women stood in their doors, white and still.


"Lo, the harbor of Plymouth rolls bright in the Spring,


The maples grow red, and the wood robins sing,


The west wind is blowing, and fading the snow,


And the pleasant pines sing, and arbutuses blow.


Five Kernels of Corn!


Five Kernels of Corn!


To each one be given Five Kernels of Corn!"
O Bradford of Austerfield hast on thy way,


The west winds are blowing o'er Provincetown Bay,


The white avens bloom, but the pine domes are chill,


And new graves have furrowed Precisioners' Hill!"


Give thanks, all ye people, the warm skies have come,


The hilltops are sunny, and green grows the holm,


And the trumpets of winds, and the white March is gone,


Five Kernels of Corn!


Five Kernels of Corn!


Ye have for Thanksgiving Five Kernels of Corn!
"The raven's gift eat and be humble and pray,


A new light is breaking and Truth leads your way;


One taper a thousand shall kindle; rejoice


That to you has been given the wilderness voice!"


O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,


And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,


Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,


And the festal world sings the "Five Kernels of Corn."


Five Kernels of Corn!


Five Kernels of Corn!


The nation gives thanks for Five Kernels of Corn!





By Hezekiah Butterworth - Appeared in National Magazine, November 1899