For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

 (2 Corinthians 4:15 NASB)

God often helps his people in unexpected ways.  The first Thanksgiving may never have happened if the Pilgrims had not received help from an unanticipated source.

Samoset was the first Native American to contact the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony.  On March 16, 1621, he startled the colonist by walking into their compound unannounced and greeted them in English and asked for beer.  Samoset had some dealings with English fishermen in Maine and had acquired a taste for their English brew.  Believe it or not, the colonist did bring some beer with them, but it was long gone.  They were a bit hesitant about Samoset’s visit as they viewed Indians as savages, as the literature of that day indicates. Yet, they gave him food and let him stay overnight.  He returned a few days later with some other Indians, one of which was the famous, Squanto. He taught the Pilgrims how to grow Indian corn, fertilize it with fish, and was a liaison between the Massasoit, the Chief in that area.  Without Squanto’s help, Plymouth Colony may not have survived.

God goes before us to help us accomplish his will, yet because of theological, cultural, or racial differences, we can miss God’s provision.  At times, God offers us help from people who look, think, or act differently from us. God looks at the heart, not outward appearances.  What cookie-cutter mentality of how God works has limited God providing for you.  Gratefulness for God’s help, no matter how it is packaged, may facilitate the unity of spirit they had at the first Thanksgiving.

I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission.  My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and Ukraine.  I hold a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University.  [email protected]