Day Thirty - An Attitude of Gratitude

Several years ago I made a decision to thank people who do menial tasks or who hold unpopular roles in society. I find it immensely enjoyable. The look on the faces of public lavatory cleaners, traffic wardens, or street cleaners, when they have been thanked, is wonderful.

The tragedy is that often I discover that I am the first person who has ever thanked them. Learning how unusual it is, I try to take care so that my thanks are not misunderstood as sarcasm. What I find particularly disappointing is that their boss or line manager never thanks them.

The classic Bible passage on thankfulness is the account of ten men who had leprosy, and would have been outcasts from main society in the border area between Galilee and Samaria (Luke 17:11-19). Luke tells us that of the ten men who were healed only one came back to praise God and thank Jesus for what he had done. Why did Luke include this account in his gospel? What are we to learn from it? The healed Samaritan offers profuse thanks and praises God noisily. Perhaps the other nine were too busy enjoying their healing or rushing to get certified as cleansed so they could get on with their lives again.

The absence of the thanks and praise from the other nine is in stark contrast to their previous loud requests for Jesus to have mercy on them. Luke reveals that Jesus was disappointed that the others did not join in praising God for what they had received. Perhaps the Samaritan had found something more than physical healing. In giving praise to God and in his response to Jesus he revealed the object and reason for his faith. It is for this that Jesus commends him.

Every day we experience God’s gracious care of us. In giving thanks to God we declare our faith in all that God means to us and not just what he has done for us. It is our faith and trust in God that enables us to “give thanks in all circumstances”. Even in times of tribulation and in the darkest hour, we can be thankful for a God who will never leave us or forsake us.

Perhaps being thankful requires a deliberate choice. If you have not already done so, why not set aside time each day to reflect on how wonderful God is, and to give thanks for the blessings you have received. In the church context (when we get back to the new normal) thank those who have led the service and those who have done the washing up. Let’s start a revolution of gratitude.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because he’s given

Jesus Christ, his Son.

Barry Osborne