Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year.  It is a celebration of God’s blessing.  We do well when we reflect on all the things He has done for us.  He has supplied our physical needs with food and shelter.  Through Jesus Christ He has met our greatest need–Salvation from sin.   O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.  Ps. 136.

While it is good that we have set aside a time to remind us to be thankful, we should be careful to make sure we are thankful all year long.  We should practice what someone has called thanksliving.  That is, we should demonstrate our thanks by the way we live.   Often we forget to show our thankfulness.

One day when Jesus came into a small village He was met by ten lepers.  These men had a terrible disease which ruined their lives.  When they saw Jesus they cried out, “Master, have mercy on us.”  Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest.  According to the law of Moses, the priest was to inspect those who were cleansed of leprosy.  As they obeyed, they were healed.  One of the ten turned back to Jesus and fell down at His feet giving Him thanks.  Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine?   (Lk 17:17)

We have all received the blessings of God.  We have experienced His cleansing from sin.  But does Jesus still ask, “Where are the nine?” Jesus did not openly condemn the ones who did not return, but they did miss out on a blessing.  Jesus commended this one for his faith. Let’s be that one who takes the time to properly express our thanks.