A Thankful Leper

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan."
Luke 17:15&16

Jesus healed ten men who had leprosy that day. Each one was completely healed. However, nine of the men never came back to thank Jesus for what he had done for them. One did...and he was a Samaritan.
    Jews and Samaritans hated each other in those days. But when you have leprosy, that doesn't matter. In the ten, some were Jews and at least one was a Samaritan. You see, suffering and isolation know no colors, creeds, or nationalities. Fortunately, neither does the grace of God. Yet only one, the lowly Samaritan leper, came back to give thanks.
    I have resolved that I will never be like the nine, I will be the one. I will never allow a blessing, healing, or deliverance that God has provided, to pass without returning to thank him. It would be rude and self-centered to allow such marvelous blessings come and go without returning a simple, "Thank you" to the one who provided. No, I will never be like the nine!
    What has God done for you lately? Did you thank him? It never ceases to amaze me that the God of everything only asks two things of us; worship him and thank him. It's simple, it's easy. In fact, it's just plain old proper manners. Why would we treat God as less than the waitress who brings us coffee? We are careful to thank her. What about God?
    Today, make a choice to be thankful. Be the one, not the nine. God smiles when you are thankful, whether you feel like a lowly Samaritan or one of God's chosen people. Throw yourself at Jesus' feet and thank him!