Once again, it is the time of year when we stop to focus on the things in our lives for which we are grateful. Thanksgiving Day gives us an opportunity not only to gather with friends and family, but to reflect on the past year and to give thanks for the blessings we enjoy.

When I was in the third grade, my classmates and I dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians. My teacher, Mrs. Morrow, showed us how to make butter and soap. She wanted us to learn about the first Thanksgiving and the pilgrims who came from England in search of religious freedom in the New World. Their journey across the ocean was long and not without many challenges. Sacrifices were made and lives lost as they sought a new land in which to live—a free land.

The Mayflower pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on December 16, 1620. The 53 pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving were the only colonists to survive the long journey on the Mayflower and the first winter in the New World. Disease and starvation struck down half of the original 102 colonists.

These pilgrims made it through that first winter and, with the help of the local Wampanoag tribe, they had a hearty supply of food to sustain them through the next winter. They held the first Thanksgiving feast to celebrate and give thanks for the successful fall harvest.

Although our modern day Thanksgiving feast takes place on the fourth Thursday of November, the first Thanksgiving did not. This feast most likely happened sometime between September and November of 1621.

There have been many Thanksgiving celebrations since that day in 1621, and many generations have gathered around their tables to express gratitude for God’s provisions and blessings.

Over the years, I have gathered with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day to reflect on the blessings of the past year. But it was not until my husband’s journey with a rare neurological disease, and the loss of a job and income, that I came to understand that God desires our gratitude each and every day—each day is a gift from Him.

God tucks blessings of provision and providence within each and every day of our lives. But do we recognize them as being directly from Him and stop to express our gratitude? Do we have spiritual eyes to see the provisional and providential blessings He graciously gives us, or are we too distracted by the cares of this life? Blessings as seemingly insignificant as a close parking space on a rainy day, a fiery sunset in the western sky, a roof over our heads, an encouraging note buried in mounds of junk mail, a hug from a grandchild, or a smile from a neighbor—just to mention a few—permeate our daily lives.

I want to challenge you to make each day of the coming year a Thanksgiving Day! Truly, even in the hardest of life’s circumstances, we can find blessings of provision and providence from our heavenly Father for which to be thankful. God loves a thankful heart! 

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” PSALM 136:1