Saying Thank You

Sometimes life throws curve balls.  Surely the disciples traveling with Jesus on that day He met the ten lepers experienced life in such a way.  Out there in the countryside between Samaria and Galilee ten lepers encountered Jesus at an appropriate social distance and cried out for mercy.  Jesus sent them on their way to the priest and as they went they saw in another a healing happening.  One of the healed ones left his companions and sought out Jesus to thank Him even though the other nine went hurrying on their way.   The one who returned was a Samaritan which was surely unexpected by the disciples.  (Luke 17:11-19)

There are times when expressing gratitude requires some effort, being inconvenienced, and going an extra mile.  It is not always an easy thing to do.  In the case of the nine it is doubtful they made it to the priest although they needed a kind of certification of cleanness to re-enter normal living.  They may have ended up going home to their families, or throwing a party somewhere at a tavern to celebrate.  One thing is certain.  They had no intent of being inconvenienced in order to speak a word of thanks.   

The one who sought Jesus had a sense of determination.  He recognized that he had been gifted with a blessing not earned.  His trip to find Jesus was surely not a casual journey, but one filled with a double measure of urgency.  There are people around us who have gifted us with blessings we did not expect to receive, but which have changed our life.  It may require some effort to express an overdue gratitude, but surely this Thanksgiving Day is a good day to make the effort required to say thank you.