Hellooooo!!! I hope you all are doing well! It’s November, which is special to me because it is my birthday month and it is officially the holiday season. I am kinda ready to bake as I have been in a little retirement. LOL We are almost at the end of the year. Most of us use this time to reflect and really think about the things and people we are most grateful for. I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to share a story from the Bible that came to me about gratitude and gratefulness. Let’s do it!!

This story is found in Luke 17:11-19. I am going to give you the synopsis, but please go check it out in whatever version you prefer to read. So, Jesus was walking through Jerusalem and he encountered ten men with leprosy. Leprosy is a skin condition that is contagious. If you had this condition, you had to make it known by saying you were “unclean” and you were typically quarantined with those that also had that condition. The New Living Translation says those with leprosy stood at a distance. It seems they had to announce the fact that they had an issue as well as socially distance from others that were not infected. Sounds familiar, right? They cried out and said “Jesus, have mercy on us!” Jesus instructed them to go show themselves to the priest. According to my study Bible, people could only go to the priest if they were in remission from leprosy so they could be declared clean by him. Jesus sent them, and they went in an act of faith and they were healed on their way. One of them came back and gave praises to Jesus for his healing. Only one.

Jesus was like “Ummm, didn’t I send ten of y’all? Where are the other nine?” I’m sure dude was like “I have no idea, but I know I’m grateful!” Jesus told the man to get up and go because his faith has healed him. I bet those other nine got their little certification confirming their cleanliness and went on with their lives, never stopping to acknowledge that Jesus did not have to grant them the answer to their prayer. Does that sound like us sometimes? Be honest, sometimes we can pray, fast, and speak in all the tongues and when our prayer is answered we devote our time and energy to that answered prayer and forget to give thanks. We take on the mentality that our works made it possible for that prayer to be answered. Nah sis, God cannot be manipulated. We can do all the things and if He wants to give us those things in that moment, He will. If we are not ready or if He has other plans for our lives, we will still be waiting. But how do we wait though? With an attitude? Maybe with a sense of entitlement thinking that because we are doing all of the things, He HAS to come through? I’m sooo guilty!

This man wanted to show his gratitude to God. Before he walked into the newness of what this healing offered him, he came back to give thanks. My philosophy on life is to be grateful for everything because no one has to do anything for you. God uses people to express His love in the earth and sometimes we can just walk away as if they owe us something. Gratitude opens doors dear hearts. The Bible tells us so many times that we are to give thanks. We were created to glorify God, which in essence means to give thanks to Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Amplified version says: ” Rejoice always and delight in your faith;  be unceasing and persistent in prayer;  in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Of course, this scripture is easier said than done. It is not always easy to rejoice and give thanks in hard seasons, however, there is always a silver lining. We can find the good in any situation if we really take the time to look for it.

The situation or season may not be desirable or we may be weary with waiting, but when we discover the areas in which we can be grateful, it brings forth a sense of peace. It allows us to have joy that we know is from God. That gratitude over the little happenings prepares us for the things we have presented to God in prayer. We will know how to properly receive those blessings and will have a different appreciation and proper response when those things come to pass. So, instead of focusing on where we are or what we don’t have or haven’t accomplished, let’s focus on the blessings we currently have. Let’s even look at those undesirable spaces and find that silver lining. I promise, once we discover the things we have to be grateful for, we will experience the love, peace, and joy of God.

Father, we come to you with a grateful heart. We thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and will do. Help us to have the wisdom to give thanks in every circumstance. We know that you see our posture of gratitude and hear our prayers of faith. We will be sure to give you thanks for all things. We are thankful that all things work together for our good because of our love for you. Help us to be more mindful of the opportunities for gratitude and to always come back to thank you accordingly. We love you and thank you for all things and in all things. Amen. I pray that you all have an amazing Thanksgiving, no matter how it looks! Be safe!