Thankfulness

Something at The Vine resonated big with me yesterday and was reaffirmed in our family devotion time last night. As you can probably tell form the title of this post, it has to do with thankfulness. In Luke 17:11-19 Jesus, heals 10 men with leprosy. Only one (the Samaritan) returns to thank Jesus, to which Jesus responds (vs. 17 & 18) "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" As I was talking to the kids about the story it hit me that I am often like the other 9, always asking for God's help, but never returning to him in thankfulness. David mentioned the same thought in his sermon on effective and fervent prayer, mentioning that we as parents are much more likely to be more generous to our children when the are thankful for and appreciative of the things they have already been given.

The problem I have is that I don't often take the time to reflect on what God has given me, so I am often forgetful of everything I have to be thankful for. Taking time to remember God's goodness can really change your mood, and its a matter of focus. God's nature doesn't change. If he has been good to us in the past he will be good to us in the future, even if we don't seem to understand it. The prophet Jeremiah tells us (29:11-14) "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

The lesson for me in all of this is that we can't seek with our whole heart if we can't approach with thankfulness.

So today (and hopefully everyday day after) I am THANKFUL!