Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” ~Luke 17:15-19ESV
I recently watched a video of a vlogger in the Philippines playing basketball with some local children. He then offered them four jerseys for the first ones to make a free throw. Out of the four that made the free throw and won the jersey only one said thank you immediately as he received it. He wasn’t the first to win the jersey, in fact he was the last one, so he got the last jersey. No choosing; he got what was left, yet he was the only one to say thank you as he got the jersey.
He had a heart of thankfulness. The vlogger who gave out the jerseys, then had a second competition. Those four would compete one more time for a $100. They each took a shot, but only one made it. The one with the heart of thankfulness. It’s in these moments that you can so blatantly see that what you sow you will reap. He could’ve just taken the shirt like the other three boys, but he didn’t. He thanked him and bowed his head.
Just as the one Samaritan leper received more for his thankful heart, so did this young man. Therefore, be thankful. Let your heart be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude, so that the LORD might bless you. So, that you might receive all that He has in store for you.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Fill Your Heart With Thanksgiving.