"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:15-19)
Out of the group of 10 lepers that Jesus healed, only one came back to say thank you. I also noticed that Luke made a point to mention that a Samaritan, a foreigner, was the one that came back. He was extremely grateful for the healing he received and immediately wanted to share his deep gratitude with Jesus.
Each day I experience kindness, compassion, and hospitality from different people around me. Sometimes I take notice and express my gratitude and other times I continue moving through my hectic to do list of responsibilities for that day. This story in Luke reminds me that I need to be more intentional about taking a moment to say thank you to those around me and to God.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with women in my extended family and in the greater church family leading them in a retreat. As we studied, prayed, shared, and rested I took the time to be more aware of God's presence. On Saturday evening, as an opening to our devotion and prayer time together, this was our view. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunset in the midst of a community who shared kindness, compassion, and hospitality to one another. How could we do anything but say Thank You!
As you travel through your day, be open to the kindness, compassion, and hospitality shown to you today. How can you express your gratitude? Who will you say thank you to?
Jesus reminds us that we grow in our faith as we are mindful of situations where we need to say thank you. We have received a priceless gift - Christ's sacrifice for us. I think of my life as a daily "thank you note" to God for this amazing gift. With this in mind, how might you live differently?
Prayer for Today
For this new morning and its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for every gift His goodness sends we thank you, gracious Lord. Amen.
