Gratitude

Let’s talk about gratitude for a minute; it is the season.

One day, ten men who were lepers met Jesus. It is recorded in Luke 17. As I understand it, being a leper was a slow moving death sentence; a person’s flesh would gradually deteriorate until they finally died. If that’s not bad enough, they had to live the remainder of their lives as outcasts from society.

These ten “terminal” men met Jesus and he healed all of them. Their lives dramatically changed forever. You would think that all ten of them would be overflowing with gratitude, right? Actually nine went on their way and never thanked Jesus. Only one returned to say thanks. At this point I have to ask myself, am I like the nine or the one?

God has blessed my life again and again by the people He has put in my life. It is true for all of us; we are where we are because of people God has placed in our lives. Have I expressed thanks to God and to them?

During this season of thanksgiving, why not do more than just think about it. List some of the people God has used to bless your life and write them a note of gratitude. It might include a parent, teacher, former youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, friend or neighbor. Whoever it is, take a moment and just say thanks.