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rom Romans 8:28 (and our own experiences) we learn that God “...causes all things to work together for good to those who love [Him], to those who are called according to His purpose.” It doesn’t say that all things are good but that all things work together for good. The following story, behind the event we recognize as the first time “Thanksgiving” was celebrated in the New World, is an example of how He amazingly implements this policy.

Our national holiday, “Thanksgiving,” although enacted by President Lincoln in 1863, actually harkens back more than 200 years earlier to the pilgrims, a group of God-fearing saints who sought out religious freedom by sailing to the New World, risking everything rather than live under an imposed religious system. After several months at sea they set foot in the New World in December of 1620 at what is known today as Plymouth, MA. They went about establishing a settlement in a clearing that may have been all that remained of an Indian camp, most likely abandoned years before, after much of the tribe succumbed to disease probably contracted from white explorers and traders. By early spring, 1621, the Pilgrims were also suffering from sickness and half their party was dead. A few Native American Indians, who spent several months observing the Pilgrims from a safe distance, entered the settlement. Fear gripped the Pilgrims and some of the men armed themselves with muskets, prepared to fight if necessary. One of the Indians spoke to them. “My name is Squanto. This is Samoset. We come in Peace.” The Pilgrims were amazed to hear the Indian address them in perfect English. Squanto would remain with them to negotiate with local Wampanoag tribes and teach them about sources of game, how to grow corn, what plants and berries were safe to eat. He was essential in making possible the first “Thanksgiving” that autumn. The Pilgrims thanked God for their bounty, their survival, and especially for Squanto who they called God’s special instrument.

But how could an Indian show up at that very place, at that precise time, speaking English? There are numerous accounts, but basically, Squanto, as a young Patuxet Indian of the Wampanoag Nation, lived in a village once located at the very spot where the Pilgrims established their settlement in the winter of 1620. He was kidnapped by English merchants intent upon teaching him English and then using him as a guide and interpreter on future expeditions. He was treated kindly and after three years of service a ship’s captain out of gratitude repatriated him to his village. Later, he welcomed another ship, was again kidnapped, only this time enslaved, treated poorly and sold at auction in Spain. Christian monk bought him, gave him his freedom and led him to the Lord Jesus. His English language skills improved with the monk. He left Spain for England and reunited with the friendly ship’s captain, enabling him to set sail and to return to his village. In his absence, however, a “whiteman’s” sickness had killed all his people. He found a small, poorly equipped, barely surviving group of Pilgrims trying to establish a settlement in the clearing he once called home. Squanto felt empty but not bitter about his loss because of his love for the Lord Jesus. He cautiously observed the Pilgrims for several months before approaching and offering to help. He felt led by God to adopt the Pilgrims as his people. The success of the Pilgrims is due largely to Squanto. God prepared his heart through great hardship and loss in order to place him at the very place and at the precise moment to cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose... and that would include both Squanto and the Pilgrims.

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