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Family Matters
By Jeff Kemp
A Thanksgiving that satisfies the heart, not just the appetite
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it combines two things I like most, food and football. But a story from our history books that I heard recently reminded me that this sacred national holiday has much more to offer than turkey and touchdowns.
The first pilgrims who landed at Plymouth on December 26, 1620 were ill prepared for the elements and the harsh conditions of their new homeland. Shortly after the first landing, a new group of colonists arrived in Plymouth. They came empty-handed without food, tools or extra clothing for the winter months.
The “governor” of their new colony responded with a sobering request. He asked people to reduce their daily rations to five kernels of corn per day, and pray. Nearly half of them died that first winter.
Though more lives were lost that spring, the following summer brought new hope and great blessings. The colonists worked hard alongside the native Wampanoag Indians to improve their shelters and produce a bountiful fall harvest that would provide enough corn and barley to see them through the coming winter. Their prayers had been answered.
To celebrate, the colonists and Indians joined together in a three-day feast. And as a thanksgiving reminder, the meal’s first course was a plate with only five kernels of corn.
Psychologist and author Larry Crabb once said, “One of the most troublesome things in our life is being blessed.” His point is that abundance can cause us to lose sight of the things we should be most thankful for, things like family, peace and freedom. When you think about it, many families find it easier to give thanks for those things which matter most during times of hardship and uncertainty rather than during times of relative peace and prosperity.
This year, instead of simply enjoying a day of food and football, let’s encourage our children, friends and family to openly express gratitude and appreciation. Here are a few suggestions for making “Turkey Day” a day of true thanksgiving.
Read stories about America’s heritage.
The stories of America’s founders are compelling, real-life sagas of challenge and achievement. They also serve as a reminder that freedom was born of sacrifice and provide children with positive role models. Books such as “Light and the Glory” by Peter Marshall and “Thanksgiving – A Time to Remember” by Barbara Rainey are good resources.
Give everyone a chance to give thanks.
Before beginning your Thanksgiving meal, have everyone anonymously fill out a 3 x 5 card with one or two things they’re especially grateful for. Have one person collect the cards and read them one at a time. As each one is read, try to guess who wrote each card and ask them why they chose the things they did. This is a great way to jumpstart a conversation with family and friends while giving everyone a chance to give thanks.
Start with five kernels of corn.
Use the pilgrims’ thanksgiving reminder as a way for your family to reflect and give thanks. Put five kernels of corn on each family member’s plate before dishing up any other food. Tell the story of the Pilgrims’ hardships and sacrifices during their first year in Plymouth. This simple effort to pause and reflect will give everyone a greater sense of appreciation, especially when the food is finally served.
We have so much to be thankful for. Before you turn on the television to watch football or pick up that first turkey leg, take a moment to connect with your family and offer thanks for all that we have. You’ll find that this year’s Thanksgiving holiday will be one that satisfies the heart, not just the appetite.
Jeff Kemp is a husband and the father of four boys. He also serves as President of Families Northwest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Northwest the world's premier place for marriage, family life and children.
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