As a young Mom, manners were a big thing at our house. And I remember well the very first courtesy I taught to our oldest was to say "Thank You." With his sweet little "just learning to talk voice" how proud I was to hear him say "tank you" to each gift, a cookie, or help with a toy, and then to hear the words of praise in response from others who had been the recipient of that sweet little "tank you."
A grateful heart is a mark of a maturing believer and it speaks to our appreciation for all the graces and mercies we have received. Just as any parent enjoys hearing words of appreciation, Jesus' heart is blessed when we respond with thanksgiving for Who He is, for all He is to us.
Gratitude is taught many places in the Bible, but one of my favorites is found in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and he "passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee." He didn't have to go that route, but He chose to go right through a place that the Jews hated, and a place that hated them. I personally believe that Jesus wanted to teach His disciples the importance of stepping outside our comfort zone, of being willing to be in uncomfortable places with less than friendly people and share our faith. And the perfect place for that lesson was in Samaria.
Ten lepers saw Jesus and carefully approached Him, making sure to keep their "legal" distance. They recognized Who He was and loudly shouted, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When Jesus heard them and saw them, He commanded that they follow the Law's requirement for cleansing and go to the priest and show him that they were healed, that they were ready to return to their homes, their families, their lives.
In verse 15, when one the 10 looked at his skin and saw that those awful, sickening white leper's spots were healed he went no farther: he fell down at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. With his face on the ground, repeating the words, thank You, thank You, over and over, Jesus looks around and notices that the other nine are no where to be seen.
In v17 Jesus asked the man, "Where are the other nine?" Then Jesus said, "You are the only one to give God the glory for your healing. Get up, go anywhere you choose, your faith has healed you."
We know nothing more about this thankful man but someday soon in Heaven I would like to talk with him and learn the rest of his story. I believe it will be a story of blessing, because ladies please remember this: God blesses thankfulness, with more to be thankful for. Don't miss an opportunity for blessing by forgetting to say, Thank You, Lord.
Are you in need of answered prayer? Start each day with "Thank You, Lord", then start naming the good and the not so good, and thanking Him for everything. (1 Thess. 5:18) You will feel so good, you will be so blessed, you will be amazed. Thankful people are happy people and don't you know that this man who was once a leper knew the true meaning of Thank You and all the blessings that comes with it.
