One of the many privileges of homeschool is that I do not have to reprogram the kids with the truth of the reason of celebrating a particular holiday. We are able to teach the historical truth as we best know of it and have researched it. I have enjoyed so much teaching the children about Thanksgiving each year with the help of a book called “Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving”, written by Eric Metaxas. It is a historically accurate book, written in a storybook type form, made to interest children of all ages.
The book parallels Squanto and the Old Testament biblical character Joseph. This book tells the story of Squanto, his captivity, being sold as a slave, but to monks who told him about God and how God had a plan for him, even in his pain. The story of Joseph has always captivated my heart at so many levels. As I read this book to the kids today, during history, I was reminded that God had Josiah choose to read for his bedtime story two nights ago a storybook of Joseph and his coat of many colors. How neat of God, to lead Josiah to that book, and have us discuss it, how God allows difficult things to happen in our lives, for our good and for His glory, how we must receive both “bad and good” from God as gifts because He has a plan. And then, today, for us to consider Squanto, and for Governor William Bradford of Plymouth to compare Squanto to Joseph. What a terrific moment, one of those that takes my breath away like only God can!
“Hallelujah! Who but the glorious God of heaven could so miraculously weave together the wandering lives of a lonely Patuxet brave and a struggling band of English Pilgrims in such a way that would bless the whole world for centuries to come?”
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Genesis 50:19-20 (New International Version)19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
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