5 Kernels of Corn

An important part of American heritage is the story of the group of British Christians who fled persecution and planted the Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts.  

It was a daunting task to settle in such an undeveloped area, and the Pilgrims were ill-equipped. Their first winter in Plymouth, half of them died from disease and inadequate supplies. 

Things were so bad that they had to ration their supply of corn to five kernels per person per day. 

Several years later when crops were abundant, the Pilgrims started their Thanksgiving celebration by serving each person five kernels of corn as a reminder of what God had brought them through.

They understood what Paul meant when he wrote: 

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:12-13

Whether they were struggling through lean times or enjoying abundance, they put their trust in God’s strength, not their own. 

Before our Thanksgiving meal, I serve five kernels of corn to remember our pilgrim heritage and God’s faithfulness. Why not make this your tradition too?

Resource: David Manuel and Peter Marshall, The Light and the Glory (Fleming Revell, NJ, 1977).

Please take some time today to read some of these 1-minute devotions—in fact, why not choose one or two to read aloud before your Thanksgiving meal.

 

Don't you think it's time to Take Back Thanksgiving?

Did you know that sometimes God Talks Turkey, and sometimes He doesn't? 

But today is a good day for us to Talk Turkey.

And we also should talk about Popcorn, Thanksgiving, and Heaven. 

When we're eating leftovers, let's make sure we Don't Give God Our Leftovers. 

And before tomorrow, let's ponder Black Friday and Good Friday.

Finally, after pondering Good Friday, it might be a good time to take another look at pilgrim faith: Gratitude Born of Pain.

I wish you all a Blessed Thanksgiving!! ⁓ Gail

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. You can find out where to purchase it and download 2 free Bible studies with purchase HERE.  

 

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