How One Person Made a Difference at Thanksgiving

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With Thanksgiving getting closer, I am reminded about the amazing story of how God used a Native American (Indian) named Squanto to bless the Pilgrims who settled in America.

Historical accounts of Squanto’s life vary, but around 1608 a group of European traders sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to trade, they were kidnapped, taken to Europe and sold into slavery. This was, of course, a bad thing. But God can even use bad things to bless others. 

The man who bought Squanto treated him well and taught him English and about Jesus Christ. Ten years later, Squanto was given his freedom and sailed back to America. By now, he knew both the English language and the Christian faith.

A year later, a shipload of English families arrived and settled in Plymouth.. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English. According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good … He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities … and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died.” 

Bradford also wrote that without Squanto, they would have never survived their first year at Plymouth.

God sent His blessings to our “Pilgrim Fathers” in the form of a former slave. Likewise, the Lord showers blessings on us in all sorts of ways. 

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:8-11).

Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX

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