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EXERCISE YOUR GRATITUDE
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned
back, praising God with a loud voice ... Then Jesus asked, "Were
not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?"
Of the ten lepers cured by
Jesus, only the Samaritan stopped to thank him.
Frequently, I have wondered if I have thanked the Lord enough
for the many blessings he has given me.
I know that I am more fortunate than most with relatively good
health, a good education, a secure income, loving family and a
loyal pet. And I have thanked the Lord for all of these gifts.
But have I done so adequately?
Would I be as thankful if I did not have as many gifts? Would I
be more thankful for the ones I did have if I did not have so
many? Are there other ways God wants me to use the gifts he has
given me?
Because I believe we are all guilty of not thanking him
adequately, I am going to propose an exercise for each of us.
Today, write down five things for which you are grateful. Think
about each in depth and what your life would be like without
them. Then thank the Lord for each of them again. Tomorrow add
five more to the list and repeat the process. Continue this
practice each day at least through the end of Lent. I'll bet you
never run out of new things for which to thank him.
Lord Jesus, help us to be more like the
one who thanked you than like the nine who did not. Make us
grateful for all you have given us and help us to share those
gifts with others.
Amen.
Jolene Dougherty
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