America came about as a result of Christians seeking a place where they could worship God in spirit and in truth. There are many stories and theories as to exactly what happened and how it happened, but one thing we do know as fact. The settlers at Plymouth Rock didn't know how to farm this land, or how to survive here. God first prepared an Indian named Squanto.

How did He prepare him? Well, whether he was taken as a slave or as a friend isn't clear, but he was taken to Europe twice. He learned the languages of white men. He learned something more important. He learned about the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. He found that love for himself, and accepted it. He gave his life in love and service to the Lord Jesus. Then he went home to tell his people about this wonderful God and the truth of Christ. He found his people dead and the village empty.

When we become Christians, God restores to us all we have lost. Maybe not the way we originally had it, but He does it His way.

Strangers moved across the sea and settled where Squanto's people once lived. Squanto and some of his people from another village went to see these new people. It was clear that they were dying. The had no food. They didn't know how to get any.

Squanto and his friends helped them by teaching them how to live off of the land. What crops would grow here and how to cause them to grow. What plants were good to eat, and how to fish in these waters. Friendships developed and Squanto made these new people his family.

The first harvest season the Pilgrims and the Indians came together to have a feast and to give thanks to our God who provides for all our needs. We call this day Thanksgiving. The purpose of it is to thank our God for the many blessings He bestows on His people every day we live. The main one of these being salvation through Jesus Christ.

If you don't know that salvation for yourself, click HERE to find out what it is all about. If you do consider yourself to be a Christian, please continue down the page to a poem I thought was particularly fitting for this time of year when we have so many friends and family members coming to visit us.

If Jesus Came To Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two,

If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do?

Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,

And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best,

And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,

That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But, when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door?

With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor?

Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?

Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?

Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard?

And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?

Could you let Jesus right in, or would you rush about?

And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you,

Would you go right on doing the things you always do?

Would you go right on saying the things you always say?

Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up it's usual pace?

And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?

Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you read?

And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?

Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you plan to go?

Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends?

Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?

Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know the things that you would do,

If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.

Lois Blanchard Eades

From tract #117 of The Tract League, Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1390