Sunday prior to Thanksgiving 2011 - I teach The Home Builders Sunday School Class at our church and attempt to lead meaningful discussions for this diverse class of 40-somethings. We talked about the ten lepers who were healed and only one returned to say thanks. Then we discussed what excuses the nine might have used to justify not returning to say thanks - we had some really interesting thoughts.
1. Just didn’t have time to say thanks….
2. Thought someone else would take care of it
3. Really intended to say thanks but never got around to it
4. Why should I say thanks…they owed it to me
5. I’d been asking for this a long time…He knew I was appreciative
6. I just didn’t know what words to use
7. Did He think I’d just take it for granted – of course I’m thankful, I just didn’t say anything.
8. I’m not good with words; I’d rather do something special
9. It appeared no one else was going to do it either – why should I be the first
We also looked at some thought provoking quotes about gratitude and thankfulness. Here are a few of those:
· Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~ G.B. Stern
· Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie
· Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel
· Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. ~Denis Waitley
· Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it. ~ Ralph Marston
Every Thanksgiving is important to me and as I observed the day with family (and far too much food), I remained thankful for a God of patience and forgiveness, and that with both those characteristics He has chosen to bless me with things too numerous to list. His storehouse is full and at my disposal if I will be a faithful servant.
"In everything give thanks!"
