It hadn’t even happened yet. Ten men, riddled with leprosy had just been face to face with Jesus of Nazareth. Desperate for healing, they cried out to him, “Heal us!” All he told them was to go show themselves to the priest, and they did. Luke 17 says that went, they were healed. I imagine that once they realized that something had changed, that the painful sores were gone, that they kicked it into overdrive and booked it to the priest to show him that they had been cleansed. Well at least nine of them probably did. But one guy, a Samaritan, a social outcast in many regards, stopped in his tracks just about the time he realized he was completely healed. But instead of joining the stampede to the priest, he did a 180. He turned around and went back to Jesus, and threw himself at his feet, in an expression of gratitude. Jesus was truly impressed by this guy, and yet stricken by the fact that although ten of them had been healed only one had returned to say thanks.
I’ve spent a lot of time this morning looking back over my life at the times God has blessed me. Whether its been a word of encouragement, a prayer offered on my behalf, a financial need met, or a “just because,” I have been blessed so many times and didn’t really deserve any of them. Sometimes, when blessings come its easy to take them for granted. To cast a passing glance in their direction, to acknowledge them and go about life. I don’t wanna be that way. I want to return to say thanks.
So if you’re reading this, then thanks. Thanks for taking the time to listen to my heart. If you’ve prayed a prayer for me, thanks. If you’ve sent me an email, a card, posted on my wall, or tweeted me a direct message to encourage me thanks. If you’ve been my friend, even when I didn’t deserve it thanks. If you’ve given me something, money, a gift, a meal, even a hard time, thanks. I’m blessed, stronger, even a better man because of you. thanks.
When you finish reading this, why don’t you do something that may seem a little random to somebody else. Why don’t you tell them thanks for something they’ve done for you?
Peace
