Time for Thanks

What does it take to say, "Thank you?"

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. - Luke 17:15-16

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is approached by ten lepers who seek his mercy.  He tells them to present themselves to the priests and as they are on their way, all ten are healed.

One, a Samaritan, returns to thank him.

In our cynical nature, we may find the return of one out of ten a good one today, but that isn't the point, is it?

Jesus makes a point of the one who is a foreigner, someone the crowd would despise and distrust, is the only one to return to give God praise.

He is using this story to point out judgment against others and self-righteousness in all who fail to humble themselves before God.

Imagine how Jesus felt.

You know enough to come to me for help, but when you get what you want, where are you?

We don't do that, do we?  Do we fail to thank God for all that He does for us, for all the prayers He answers?

Suppose we take a moment right now to think of all the beauty and joy and peacefulness and quiet of yesterday and reflect on those as gifts from God.

And if yesterday was exceptionally difficult, but we made it through, we can offer thanks for that as well.

Suppose we make it a habit to be thankful.  How would that change our lives?

I think it would give us hope for today and help us begin with a positive attitude, a refreshing awareness of all that is good, all that God has given us.

But then, I am an optimist, a seeker of light in the darkness.

For me, this time, in the early morning, each day, I will find time for thanks.  For whatever comes my way today, I am hopeful.  For whatever is past and is now behind me, good and bad, I am thankful.  And for this very moment, I am overjoyed.

That is my daily prayer.

Amen.

More to come...