MAYHEM ON THE MAYFLOWER
We’re familiar with the voyage of the Mayflower, but are you aware there was a serious troublemaker onboard? One of the crew members taunted passengers who lay seriously ill, even on the verge of death. He told these unfortunate souls that as soon as they died, he would throw their bodies overboard and confiscate their possessions.
Several passengers did in fact pass away on the voyage, but only one crew member died. Care to venture who that was? The bully! Only two days from their destination, the young punk took sick and expired. It’s written that the passengers gathered up his stuff, along with his body, and dumped it all overboard. (Source: Chaz Allen, Little Known Facts.)
Although I can’t imagine these Puritan Pilgrims doing the happy dance over his demise, I’m confident that some of them inwardly celebrated the triumph of justice. In speaking of the wicked, Psalm 7:16 states, “The trouble they cause comes back on them, and their heads are crushed by their own evil deeds” (CEV). Case in point: The Mayflower bully.
But let’s circle back to the bigger story—the number of Pilgrims who died. Several failed to survive the sea voyage. Then after arriving, their misfortunes multiplied. Within the first year, forty-seven of the original 102 died—nearly half! At year’s end, several colony members proposed a day of fasting to grieve their losses. It made sense. Many had buried spouses, parents and children. But Governor William Bradford countered by decreeing a Thanksgiving feast to praise God for their blessings. The first Thanksgiving was birthed in the midst of suffering.
Nearly two hundred times, scripture tells us to be thankful. First Thessalonians 5:18 states, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” We don’t know the struggles we’ll face over the next twelve months. But like the Pilgrims, we have a choice. We can dwell on what we’ve lost… or focus on the blessings we have. It’s our call.
William Law wrote, “If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to happiness and all perfection, he must tell you to make certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.” Want to experience joy in the midst of struggles? Rather than dwelling on what we don’t have, let’s focus on the blessings we have, just like the first Pilgrims.
Principle: Like the Pilgrims, let’s give thanks even in the midst of suffering.
Ponder:
How have you found gratitude to be the antidote to most of your woes?
In the midst of hardship, what specific blessings can you praise God for to free you from a negative attitude?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Psalm 30.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for all your rich and wonderful blessings. Thank you for the reminder that even in the midst of harsh struggles, I need to lift my eyes and thank you. Gratitude is your antidote to my pain.
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