Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada, the United States, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. — Wikipedia
Most Americans these days live far from the agricultural economy. It is important to remember that those farmers and ranchers (and the truckers who bring their products to our supermarkets), FEED us. Our lives are vitally dependent on their work.
Farm work is cyclical. It involves repeated planting, growing, and harvesting — and the growing part cannot be hurried. Growing is seasonal. Different crops have different timelines and prefer differing climates. Months of time, effort, and investment are required before one can hope for a harvest. In the meantime, one’s growing crops are subject to weeds, insects, birds, disease, and weather conditions.
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:5-8)
It is no wonder that harvest time is time of celebration. One finally gets to reap the benefits of one’s long labor. But while enjoying the feast of celebration, it is important to remember to store up the fruits of the harvest for the winter, when nothing can be planted. It is also important to hold back something from consumption, even if the winter is harsh, because one needs seed for the next season.
The scriptures are full of harvest metaphors. The good seed is the word of God and the harvest is missionary work. We are cautioned not only to care for our growing crop (testimony), but to be careful of what kind of seeds we plant.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
So while Thanksgiving should surely be a time of gratitude, it should also be a time of reflection. If we don’t like what we are reaping, perhaps we should reconsider what we choose to sow. If our crop is sparse, perhaps we should consider the ground we have planted in, and whether we have neglected the weeds.
Focusing on our blessings during this season can help remind us where we need to re-prioritize our choices and bring them into better alignment with our values. The very families who bring us so much joy during the holiday season can be ours forever if we follow the Gospel plan.
And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. (Doctrine and Covenants 78:19)
Photo: The cornucopia, or “horn of plenty” is a symbol of abundance and nourishment that comes from classical antiquity.
Lovely thoughts.