Squanto’s story provides a wonderful backdrop to talk to our children about character. It is difficult to find meaning in adversity. How can and does God work EVERYTHING together for good in our lives, especially when our struggles make no sense? The answer boils down to our world view.
Do we struggle to fit God into our plans or do we fit into His? Are circumstances good only when they bring ease and reward? Teaching perseverance and a godly worldview are solid steps to building Christian character in our children. Squanto’s story is a timely example we can use to help our children develop desirable character traits.
God is the creator of all things, and the unfolding of history is His-story. He has a master plan for all of humanity: the rise and fall of nations, the preaching of the good news to all men, and the birth of babies who will become world changers. A homegrown world changer might be sitting around your kitchen table right now!
Squanto’s story poignantly reveals God’s sovereign plans. English traders landed in what was to become Plymouth, Massachusetts a decade before the pilgrims arrived. Wampanoag Indians came to trade with the Englishmen. Sadly, the traders took Indians prisoner and carried them to Spain to sell them them into slavery.
Even in the midst of this tragic circumstance, God kept a young Indian boy named Squanto safe. A kind Spanish monk bought him, treated him well, and taught him the Christian faith.
In 1618, Squanto sailed back to America. When he arrived, an epidemic had wiped out Squanto’s entire village. Squanto survived because he had been sold into slavery and lived far away during the epidemic. God’s plan for Squanto’s life was far bigger than Squanto could have imagined. He would play an important role in birthing a new nation. God would use the new nation for good in the entire earth!
Imagine the shock that filtered through the Plymouth colony founders a year after Squanto’s return when they arrived on the shores of his home. Squanto approached and greeted them in English!
Governor William Bradford’s diary indicates he realized Squanto was a special instrument of good sent from God. Squanto helped the Pilgrims communicate with the surrounding Indian tribes and showed them how to plant corn and other crops. He helped them survive in the new land and stayed with the Pilgrims for the rest of his life.
In honor of the redeeming love of God in Squanto’s life and the first Thanksgiving so many years ago, I am sharing my recipe for Chocolate Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats. What a fun way to teach your children about God’s faithfulness in building our nation! I hope these ideas will bring many opportunities for you to discuss Squanto’s life story in the context of character training this holiday season.
These cute and tasty hats are a snap to make. Just dip marshmallows in candy coating and place on Keebler® Fudge Stripes™ cookies. Then, decorate with a little yellow frosting.
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 16
1. For hats, place KEEBLER FUDGE STRIPES cookies, stripes sides down, on baking sheet lined with wax paper.
2. Melt confectioner’s coating according to manufacturer’s directions.
3. Use fork to dip marshmallows, one at a time, into candy coating, scraping excess coating from bottoms of marshmallows. Place one coated marshmallow on center of each cookie. Refrigerate about 20 minutes or until coating is set.
4. Tint frosting yellow. Use to pipe buckle on each hat.
To print out this recipe from Kellogg’s click here.
This article was originally published on our Homeschool Launch Blog.
For more ideas on character training or Thanksgiving activities, you might like these posts:
A Family Thanksgiving Worship Service
Make Your Own Blessing Tree
Focusing on the foundation of your homeschool provides a powerful anchor to direct your day and your school teaching to the Gospel. A short focus on the foundation at the beginning of your day will bear massive results.
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