“Jesus asked, ‘were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17)

 

In this story in Luke, ten lepers approach Jesus. They are considered “unclean”. Jesus sends them to a priest, and on the way their disease is healed. No more disfigurement. No more pain. They can return to their jobs and families. Imagine their joy as they danced into the temple, showing the priest their restored fingers and skin as new as a babe. But only one returns to thank Jesus. Only one. There is no doubt the other nine are just as excited, but only one is grateful enough to return and thank Jesus. Nine people are healed on the exterior, but there’s some inner work that still needs to be done.
Sometimes our greatest heart work takes place when we acknowledge where we are the least thankful.

Maybe this Thanksgiving your house will be full. There’ll be dirty dishes. Lots of them. Maybe your dad will tell that same old joke — the corny one that isn’t that funny, but he can’t help but tell it. It’s easy to get distracted by the noise or the mess, but I can’t help but wonder, What if we stepped into our ingratitude with honesty?

Dear Lord, today I saw the mess and heard the noise but failed to be grateful for the people around the table. Let me pause for a moment and point out all the reasons I’m thankful.