I got up this morning thinking about what I needed to do today. The item at the top of my list is write thank-you’s.
Acknowledgement and appreciation is important. Without them we could develop an attitude of entitlement and selfishness. As a child, Mom made sure that we wrote our grandparents and other family members when they gave us a gift. Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. never passed without her nudging of “did you write your thank-yous”.
For as long as I can remember I have verbalized my gratitude when someone does something they don’t have to and assist me or make my job easier but saying “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” Those are not empty words, they are not cliche. They are a heartfelt expression of gratitude.
Why am I telling you this? Glad you asked.
I realized this morning that I do this very thing everyday when I write in my journal. Nearly every day the first two words I write are “thank You”… That’s probably the reason I spend so much time in the Psalms. David and the other writers continually expressed their thanks to the Lord.
“Praise the name of the Lord! He is kind and good.” Psalm 135:3 CEV
“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1 CEV
“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV
Gratitude removes worry and brings peace. Thankfulness puts our eyes on the blessing and the One who gave it to us and not on our own limitations.
Just yesterday I was reading about the miracle of the ten lepers who asked Jesus to heal them. It’s an interesting story of thankfulness.
“As he was going into a village, ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’
14  Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ On their way they were healed. 15 When one of them discovered that he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. 16 He bowed down at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Luke 17:13-16 CEV
Ten men were cleansed, only one came back to thank Jesus for what He had done. Look at Jesus’ reaction:
“17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:17-19 AKJV
There’s a difference between being cleansed and being made whole. Cleansed or healed means the leprosy was gone. The dead and rotting flesh was healed but the man who returned with the grateful heart was made whole. This word indicates that missing body parts had been restored – instead of stubby fingers, whole fingers replaced them. Instead of a nose partially there, a “whole”ness came.
A miracle for sure. Healing and wholeness!
Write a note – say thank you – give glory to God and let the healing power of God’s love flow, unlimited power and peace!
Thank you for reading each morning, I really appreciate it.