Are you familiar with the story of Jesus and the ten lepers? These ten lepers cried out to Jesus for healing and were miraculously healed of their terrible disease. But only one came back to say thank you. Ten miracles. One thank you.

The ratio probably hasn’t changed much over the years. A spirit of ingratitude pervades our society. In fact, the Bible tells us in II Timothy that one of the characteristics of the End Times is that people will be ungrateful.

Imagine how you would feel if no one ever thanked you for your kind actions. In the same way, God’s heart is broken when we do not thank Him for touching our lives with His love. In light of God’s magnificent grace, ingratitude is a grievous sin.

Don’t allow the spirit of ingratitude to sneak into your life. Be the one who, like the lone leper, returns to give thanks. Be the one who remembers to say, “Thank you, Lord.” – Discovery, November 25, 2013, by David Jeremiah

Thank me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every situation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.

When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness continuously, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace. – Jesus Calling, November 25, by Sarah Young

Rejoice always. Pray continually.Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am thankful for:

• this habit that I have now formed to intentionally notice every little gift and say “thank You.”
• groceries bought on a Monday evening before the craziness begins.
• easily accessible gas stations and pay-at-the-pump.
• mashed potatoes and turkey gravy.
• the ability to sense when I need to use the bathroom.
• good sleep.
• free mints after a meal, which also causes me to be grateful for memories of Aunt Arlene’s Andes mints in a crystal dish that were impossible to stop sneaking.
• good hearts in the midst of so much chaos and devastation.
• UPS and FedEx and USPS delivery people who bring happiness in the form of packages to the front door this time of the year.
• people who have already hung Christmas lights for us to enjoy.
• turtles and giraffes.
• this day, eight years ago, when my daughter Katrina married Zak, the man who captured her heart and allowed her to laugh and love freely.
• the most unique wedding I have ever attended, completely movie-themed with popcorn and videos and characters and hotdogs and pretzels and love and laughter throughout the evening.
• my daughter’s beauty, inside and out.
• my son-in-law’s dry humor and endless wit.
• my children’s capacity to love their own children and be such incredible parents to their little ones.

And finally, I am grateful for a family who loves to play games around the table. I am so looking forward to hours of game-playing this weekend. We’ll miss you, Mom, and we’ll play for you while you’re absent from the table.