Paul’s Jesus-based “retirement plan”

As we commemorate Thanksgiving weekend, I recalled our family trip several years ago that included a stop in Plymouth, Massachusetts to visit Plymouth Rock, which has been a significant part of our folklore for over 280 years. With apologies to Elvis, one could make the case that it is truly America’s 1^st rock star. The back-story for Plymouth Rock is as follows:

In 1741, the folks of Plymouth wanted to upgrade the wharf which would mean moving or covering up all the rocks on the shoreline. However, a 94-year-old codger named Thomas Faunce is upset that the history of the Mayflower’s landing was going to be destroyed. (Faunce’s father had arrived 2 years after the Mayflower & Faunce had known many of the original Mayflower passengers, so his testimony was considered to be, well, rock-solid.) So, Mr. Faunce requests to be taken to the shoreline to say good-bye. Here is the awesome description of the scene:

“A chair was procured, & the venerable Faunce was conveyed to the shore where a number of the inhabitants were assembled to witness the patriarch’s benediction. Having pointed out the rock directly under the bank of Cole’s Hill, which his father had assured him was that which had received the footsteps of our fathers on their first arrival, and which should be perpetuated to posterity, he bedewed it with his tears & bid to it an everlasting adieu.”¹

Aside: “Bedew” is my new favorite word. Imagine the old country-western verse, “There’s a tear in my beer, just because you’re not here,” could now become “My brew is bedewed, just because I miss you.” (“I’ll take ‘Things I never expected to read in a GPS Insight’ for $500, Alex” – Editor. ²)

Well, the community was so moved by Mr. Faunce’s testimony, they built the wharf around the rock & the rock became part of the American Thanksgiving tradition.

Aside: Interestingly, some scholars now believe that the Mayflower was not the 1^st ship of Pilgrims to reach the shoreline. Another ship arrived first, but the passengers were too shy/reticent to venture ashore. So, sadly, the introverted passengers of the Wallflower missed their chance at history.

Modern society has taken our Pilgrim friends to the proverbial woodshed for their traditions, beliefs, & values. This shouldn’t be too surprising; one would certainly hope our culture/society has advanced over the past 450 years. I would submit, though, that whatever progress we have made is due in part to our standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. So we might want to make sure that our judgment is accompanied with a bit of humility & grace, because while we may be tempted to smugly think our generation is the pinnacle of human civilization, rest assured our descendants will be judging us just as harshly for our own mistaken beliefs & values.

So, what might our friends from Plymouth Rock mean for us today?

• The Pilgrims left the comforts of their “normal” in the Netherlands & bravely endured incredible adversity. The 100 passengers were originally spread out on 2 ships, but one of the ships sprung a leak, so they were crammed onto a merchant ship – The Mayflower. Due to the delayed departure, the Pilgrim’s journey across the Atlantic came in the midst of the stormy season, which caused rampant seasickness. Storms diverted the ship from the original destination, Virginia, to Massachusetts, & also meant the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in November-–not ideal timing. Perhaps we could mimic the Pilgrims’ courage & get out of our comfort zone & boldly join the Caroling Blitz on December 8, or bravely try out the Open Table Advent Dinner Group, or daringly volunteer to serve as an usher/greeter for Christmas Eve services.

• The Pilgrims took these unbelievable risks just so they could freely worship God as they desired. The Pilgrims had initially fled from England to the Netherlands to avoid being forced to join the Church of England. However, this was a temporary solution, so they soon made plans to go to the Americas. It’s quite humbling to read what the Pilgrims had to endure just to worship God. Maybe we could strive to copy a smidge of the Pilgrims’ faith & boldly attend church, even when it’s cold & rainy, make that small group/Sunday School gathering a priority, even when we are “too tired” or the Oscars are on, or volunteer on a Saturday at Faithworks, even when we could use that time to do the laundry. (Fact of Life: There’s always laundry to be done.)

• Finally, even though nearly half of the Pilgrims would not survive the first winter, the Pilgrims still dedicated a day to offer Thanksgiving to God for His bounty & His blessings. Could we possibly match their commitment to God? Perhaps in the midst of our own challenges, we, too, can still offer our gratitude this day to God for His love, His sacrifice on our behalf, & for His many blessings.

In conclusion, let’s not take our Plymouth Rock friends’ courage for granite, but draw inspiration from their story to be boulder in our own faith, &, like them, offer gratitude to God for being our rock, our fortress, & our redeemer. ³

¹History of the Town of Plymouth – James Thacher, 1832, Marsh, Capert & Lyon

²This is a reference to Alex Trebek & the Jeopardy TV game show.

³Paraphrase of Psalm 18:2.