One Small Candle

If it was tough reading through my three previous posts, just imagine how tough it was to live through them! Truth is, many of the passengers and sailors didn't make it; half of them had died by April of 1621, beginning shortly after their first joyous sighting of land. One Small Candle gave me a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices, faith and courage of the Pilgrims. They rank right up there with Lehi's family leavingJerusalem, and the pioneers crossing the plains!Their trials were by no means over when they landed. Maybe I'll continue their story next Thanksgiving. But for now it's enough to say that I love them and am grateful for learning more about their inspiring lives.

Another thing that jumps out at me is that even though a journey, an assignment, a calling, a marriage, a life, etc., etc. is ordained of God, it does not mean the going will be easy. It's a myth that if something is "meant-to-be", things will fall smoothly into place. There are divine reasons for the trying of our faith, character, patience, and obedience. Darn it!!!

I'll bid farewell to my new-found Pilgrim friends with these words from William Bradford:

"As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light kindled here has shown unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation. ... We have noted these things so that you might see their worth and not negligently lose what your fathers have obtained with so much hardship."