Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all these other things shall be given unto you. Matt 6:33

We all can be thankful. To whom and for what will vary for each of us during this Thanksgiving season. For me, there are a host of things that rise in value at this time of the year. Being grateful for my wife, our family, friends, our church, health, and finances may seem enough, but there’s more. May I share with you, a seemingly hidden treasure, yet the most precious one?

My wife and I live in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Two years ago we celebrated our 200th birthday. At that time, in a serious piece and as a facilitator to our Bicentennial Committee, I suggested calling us America’s Fairhaven (originally Fair Haven), in order to distinguish us from the other fine Fairhavens in Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Michigan or Vermont. A host of reasons were sited, but in the context of Thanksgiving, let me zoom in on just one.

If you attend the Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, MA their town defines and promotes itself as “America’s Hometown.” Under that premise lies the fact that it happens to be thirty miles (a healthy bike ride) from here and Fairhaven’s “grandparent” settlement. A strong Christian and historical connection comes through Francis Cooke and his 13 year old son John, who came here from England aboard the Mayflower in the early 1600s. Francis signed the Mayflower Compact and young John grew up and became the first, if not one of the first settlers and distinguished civic and moral leaders in our Old Dartmouth area and is buried in our Town of Fairhaven.

Fairhaven’s connection with America’s Hometown, Plymouth, via a Christian father and son relationship is the crowning evidence for calling us America’s Fairhaven. That truth bears great weight as it relates to an even strengthened and more qualified Spiritual identity between our Towns.

The Bible that most of the original pilgrims referred to frames a far greater perspective to ponder and celebrate. Psalm 24:1 says, The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. John 3:16 says, That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

It’s our choice to believe or dismiss what the Bible says about God’s ownership and redeeming action. If we chose to believe, then we’ve “signed in our grateful heart” the Compact that never ends.

So family and friends, here’s the rest of the story — We are two years older and the idea of calling our Town America’s Fairhaven has yet to catch on. Who knows, maybe someday? In the meantime, wherever we reside, in America’s Fair Haven or not, there is the final journey left for us to anticipate. For those of us who call ourselves modern day pilgrims, we’re forever thankful that one day, after following Jesus Christ, we’ll settle in Heaven – the Fairest Haven of all.

Now that’s a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Acts 27:8