In September of 1620, a small wooden ship called the Mayflower set sail from England, headed for the New World. Crowded on board were 102 passengers, most of them Christians who believed that God was leading them to establish a new community where they could worship freely. After sixty-five days of tossing on the sea through ferocious storms, seasickness, terrible food, and no sanitation, these Pilgrims arrived on the shores of the New World. Winter was setting in, and though they worked hard, they could not build their dwellings quickly enough. As the weeks went by, the weather grew worse. In the coldest stretch of winter, a flu-like illness swept through the colony. By the end of March, nearly half of those who had arrived on the Mayflower had died.

With the help of two English-speaking Indians, Samoset and Squanto, the remaining colonists formed a peace pact with the nearby Wampanoag tribe. Squanto also taught the settlers how to grow new crops, such as corn and pumpkins, and to trap beaver for their pelts.  By October 1621, the crops were ready for harvest. The Pilgrims’ hearts were full of gratitude for their renewed health, for the abundant harvest, and for the peace they enjoyed with the Indians. William Bradford, the new governor, declared that Plymouth should hold a thanksgiving festival and invite the settlement’s Indian friends as special guests. A date was set, and an invitation delivered to Chief Massasoit.

To make sure there was adequate food, the Pilgrim men went hunting and fishing. When Massasoit arrived with ninety hungry braves, they too went to the woods and seashore to gather food. When it was time to eat, the menu was impressive: venison, goose, lobster and other seafood, vegetables, and dried fruits. A special treat was supplied by the Indians. They placed corn on hot coals, and the kernels blew into white puffs of popcorn!

But before they began to eat, the Pilgrims offered a prayer to the God who had so clearly and miraculously led them to this place. Though they had suffered much, God had blessed them abundantly, and they sincerely offered Him their thanks and praise.   Each year we have gone around the Thanksgiving table at dinner to remind ourselves in the 21st century what we are thankful about.  This year I raised it a notch requiring all the kids and Sue and I to sit down this week and write out the Top 20 things we are thankful for.  This forces all of us to reflect on the last year, our journey over that time period, and to think about all that has happened to us, good and bad, in that time.

At the bottom why not leave a comment

about what you are thankful for this year?

So tonight, we will go through our lists and share what we are thankful  for…..here is my list.  I am most thankful for:

1.  Jesus and my growing relationship with Him.

2.  God, who loved all of us so much that He would send His Son to create a path and bridge back to relationship to Himself.

3.  A beautiful wife who loves Jesus.

4. Four beautiful children, who love me but try my patience some times!

5. A roof overhead and a bed to sleep in.

6.  Success in my work and business life.

7.  A great church, Park Community Church,  with discerning and strategic elders and excellent teaching pastors, Jackson Crum and J.R. Kerr.

8.   Great parents who love Jesus and taught me great character lessons and who have prayed for me continuously for decades.

9.  Great in-laws — many don’t have this relationship and it makes the holidays hard — I am thankful that our relationship is good.

10.  Great friends who love me for the person that I am (thank God!)

11.  All the financial blessings that have been bestowed upon me and my family.

12.  The good health of my family.

13.  A curious mind that allows me to think what could be and dream of the possibilities.

14.  Great neighborhood and neighbors — I love all these families around here, which I think is unusual in a huge city like Chicago — what a great street we have  — Kildare Rocks!

15.  Investors for my latest business venture

16.  Great business partners and colleagues who share my passion for creating the leading social network connecting athletes and fans at www.fanfuego.com

17. The freedom we enjoy as U.S. citizens

18.  The entrepreneurial spark which was lit in me by my old boss at American Disposal,  Rich DeYoung  -  thanks buddy — you don’t know the impact you have had on me.

19.  The opportunity to get an education, and advance my career because of those educational opportunities.

20.  A safe and secure existence in the best city and country in the world.