Five Kernels of Corn
by Don Riley | November 23, 2010
After sixty-six days at sea, the Mayflower borne Pilgrims reached a new land and a new spot. They called it Plymouth for the hospitality of some Christians who sent them off from Plymouth of Old England.
The winters of the 1620’s were times of near starvation for the God centered Pilgrims, so much so that they dealt out five kernels of corn to each person daily to get through the winters.
The Pilgrims had little economically but still celebrated their first Thanksgiving lavishly because Indians brought five stuffed deer, and twelve turkeys to help them survive. The Indians also brought the Pilgrims a delicacy never before microwaved, “popcorn”.
The English speaking Indian “Samoset” of the Algonquin’s and the English speaking Indian “Squanto” of the Patuxet joined with “Massasoit” of the Wampanoag’s to teach the Pilgrims how to plant corn, stalk deer, grow pumpkins, draw sap for maple syrup, and also trade beaver pelts.
Samoset had walked into camp by himself and said “Welcome”, “Have you got any beer”? Out of beer, the astounded Pilgrims offered him brandy.
The resulting agricultural training yielded great crops the next summer and fall such that the second Thanksgiving was bountiful. They were able this time to eat to their fullest.
But they remembered from whence they had come, and before they enjoyed the plate laden food, they dispersed five kernels of corn to each person to remind them that it was God who had sustained them.
This Thanksgiving I am going to encourage my family to put five kernels of corn of each plate and then tell them the story of the first Thanksgiving feasts.
The early settlers of Jamestown tried their own devices and perished. The Pilgrims however continually turned to God for their provision. They endured because they relied on the God of all provision.
Remember it is God who provides. “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:18
Thank you to the many that have encouraged me to restart my email devotionals after many months of keyboard abandon.
So shucks, thanks for lending me an ear.
Have a husky, corn laden Thanksgiving with five kernels of corn.