Beech Tree News Network

REPRESENTATIVE MELINDA GIBBONS PRUNTY

BELTON, KY— This week, as a nation, we will be celebrating the centuries old tradition of Thanksgiving. Oddly enough, those who had left their home country seeking a better life, many for religious freedom, actually celebrated alongside Native Americans who had helped make their first successful harvest possible. Are there still lessons to be learned on many levels from that original Thanksgiving?    

First of all, those that left England did not have it easy as they set sail on a hazardous voyage across the ocean not sure what they would find on their journey. That gives some perspective as to how bad it must have been for them to even think about boarding a ship and setting sail on such a risky venture with no clue as to what would happen or what they might encounter along the way. The incredible amount of courage and faith they had to embark on such an undertaking must have been tremendous. 

Those principles of faith and courage are what shaped our great nation, but I fear we are so spoiled that we might not possess enough of those principles to withstand equivalent hardships today. I admire those who are simplifying their lives today, growing their own food, getting closer to the land because I believe those individuals will be more likely to withstand any such challenges we might face in the future. We are so blessed yet we take so much for granted that we might have a rude awakening if any such challenges arise. 

Another lesson from the first Thanksgiving was the peaceful side-by-side sharing of a meal with Native Americans who could have seen the early settlers as the enemy yet helped them. What could we learn from that example today? What groups need to share a meal side-by-side to insure peace among us in this country today? Some of what is going on today is just as savage if not more so because we are supposed to be a civilized society. How can we personally make a difference in our everyday lives?

I hope that in spite of  all the craziness and divisiveness that is taking place in our great country today we can still stop and reflect on that for which we can be thankful. I know for myself, whenever I am facing a tough situation, I try to reflect on someone else or some other time period when things were much harder and realize that it could always be worse, no matter the problem. I try to count the positives and not the negatives. 

Thanksgiving is a time in which to do that. By reflecting on the pioneers and pilgrims as well as the Native Americans whose country we entered to live alongside, there are always those who allow power and control go to their head and there are those who are more willing to have conversations, negotiate, and compromise. There will always be those who are willing to show mercy, kindness, and justice and those who will try to wield power and control no matter what. 

I for one am grateful that those who sow kindness and mercy have largely won out over the centuries and I pray that those virtues continue to persevere over the test of time. I believe that the first pilgrims who sought freedom to worship as well as the Native Americans they encountered both had the capacity to treat each other with dignity and respect and ultimately were able to peacefully co-exist. 

For the pilgrims I believe that capacity was because of their faith rooted in the Bible and God. In the Bible, thanksgiving reflects adoration, sacrifice, and praise. 

Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, they drafted the Mayflower Compact honoring God in their agreement. I believe we as a country need to return to that same God who blessed our beginnings as a nation and who has sustained us over the centuries. We have forgotten our roots and need to return to them. 

Is our history as a nation perfect? No. But when we return to our original guiding principles of faith in God and the courage to stand for our principles speaking the truth in love, we can accomplish anything. 

I also believe that Kentucky is one of the states that continues to be guided primarily by those original principles. That says a lot about you, its citizens. May we all continue to walk side-by-side, not unlike the first pilgrims and Native Americans, and have those conversations in a civil manner and work alongside each other to accomplish great things for all Kentuckians, despite our differences. 

May we always have an attitude of gratitude for the many blessings we have and may you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving.   

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 

As always, I welcome your comments and concerns on any issue and can be reached, regardless of if in session or not, through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at-1-800-372-7181, at 502-564-8100, Ext. 59010, or via email at [email protected]

Please follow me on Facebook @melindagibbonsprunty. You can also keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation by visiting our website at https://legislature.ky.gov and watch both live and recorded meetings on YouTube at KY LRC Committee Meetings or on Kentucky Educational Television at https://ket.org/legislature.

Note: Representative Melinda Gibbons Prunty represents the 15th House District. She is Vice-Chair of both the Health & Family Services Committee and the Budget Review Sub-Committee on Health & Family Services. She serves on the Appropriations & Revenue, Education, and Natural Resources & Energy Committees as well as Medicaid Oversight & Advisory and the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening & Prevention