Thanksgiving, A WW II perspective.

[Keith_Hixson]

We had a member of our congregation that was a Frenchman, died several years ago. He had been apart of the French resistance movement during WW II. Early in 1943 he was captured and arrested by the Germans. Since the resistance movement wore no uniforms, they were considered common criminals by the Germans and not worthy of the Geneva Convention Rights of prisoners. In stead of executing the men and women of the French Resistance they (Germans) literally decided to starve the French prisoners to death, one or two meals a week mostly stale bread and a one slice or a half a slice. He told me that the only extra food they could find in the prison was rat. They would trap rats and eat them and it was survival. Those who learned to eat rat survived and those who didn't starved to death. He told me you really know how tough times are when you become grateful for rat. He also told me that the greatest site he every saw was the American Soldiers who came into the prison and opened prison doors and released them. He often told me that the younger generations are too affluent to really appreciate all they have. His prison experience gave him a better perspective on life and made him more appreciative of all the wonderful freedoms and blessings that most of us take for grant it. So, I've always remembered that statement, "Pastor, you can even be thankful for rat."

So, whatever your thanksgiving will like I am sure that almost everyone of us can find many things to be grateful for, and be truly grateful.


Happy Thanksgiving Week,


Keith