Luke 17:12-17 “As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?”

Why is it that some people can be blessed as much as anyone and yet you find some that are thankful, some that are unsatisfied and others that don’t even think twice about it? We get so wrapped up at times in striving for this and reaching for that and trying to get here or there that we forget to enjoy the blessings surrounding us. Ten men were healed of a horrible disease. It not only made them physically unclean but it took away relationships, family, and contact with other human beings. No cure, no hope and nobody to share the suffering with them. There could not have been a more life-changing event for any of them than when Jesus cleansed them. Their lives would never be the same again. Yet only one recognized that he needed to do more than just accept the gift.  The other nine were undoubtedly equally joyful but their focus was solely on what they had gained and not on who had provided it. All of us were unclean and unable to go to the home we were created to enjoy – that is until Jesus cleansed us. He gave you a new life and put a song in your heart. Have you thanked him?

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you seems too little a compensation for all that you have given and all you have done for me. The gift was free and unmerited…I did nothing to deserve it. Help me, I pray to start each day with a heart of gratitude. Let me, Lord, always be the one who remembers to come back. Commend me to our Father I pray – Amen