Thanks!

Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give thanks to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well. Luke 17:17-19

The great American humorist, novelist, and travel writer, Mark Twain, once told a story about a note he had received. The note said, “Dear Mr. Twain, please send me your “best” word. Thank you. A $5.00 bill is enclosed.” Mark Twain sent back a one word response, “Thanks!”

This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, that simple word, Thanks, will be the focus of the day, but isn’t it sad that it isn’t the focus of each day? There are so many things for which to give thanks, but three things stand out this year for me. First, we should give thanks because God is at work in our lives whether we realize it or not. Things happen which we can’t explain at the time, but later the reason is made clear, and we realize how thankful we are!

We are all familiar with the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and the Indians; however, few of us know the history of a young Indian boy named Squanto and the way God used him to help the Englishmen.

In 1608, a group of Indian traders took the young Squanto and other Indians from the Wampangoag tribe prisioners, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery. Squanto was bought by a well meaning monk who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith. Ten years later, Squanto made his way back to Massachusetts only to find that an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. He couldn’t understand why God had allowed him to come home only to find his loved ones dead. A year later, he got his answer. A shipload of Englishmen arrived and settled on the very land where Squanto’s people had once lived!

The young man taught them how to fish, how to plant corn, how to trade for things they needed, and how to exist in this foreign land. The Pilgrims referred to him as a “special instrument sent from God for our good.” He stayed with them until he died. God’s work in Squanto’s life is remarkable and desrves thanks.

Next, we should give thanks for where we have been. Our past holds both good and bad, but every part of it deserves our thanks. During World War II, American soldiers consumned over 150 million pounds of Spam. They ate it for three meals a day, and began calling it “Ham that didn’t pass its physical.” I am sure, it was hard to say thanks for the Spam every day, but most chose to be grateful for something to eat. We can choose to look back on hard and bitter times with hard and bitter words, or we can choose to give thanks.

In our scripture, Jesus was walking on his way to Jerusalem when ten men who had leprosy met him. They called out for Him to have pity on them. Jesus did and cleansed them. Only one of them came back, threw himself at Jesus’ feet and gave Him thanks. Where were the other nine? Jesus could have been tempted to use hard or bitter words to describe them, but he avoided that temptaion, forgave them, and chose to bless the one who gave thanks.

Finally, we should give thanks for the battles along life’s way. Each of us fight battles whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, or so many others. I never will forget a young lady who battled cancer. When her hair began to fall out, she confessed that she could identify with the lepers in the Bible. After she went into remission and was healed, she said that she had begun to identify more with the leper who returned to offer his thanks to Jesus.

This Thanksgiving never forget to offer thanks to Jesus in all circumstances, and never lose sight of the gift Jesus gives us every day. Offer thanks to God for working in our lives, thanks for where we have been, and thanks for the battles along the way. The language of faith is thanks.

How can I say thanks for all the thiings You have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me! The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. My Tribute by Andrae Crouch

Have a blessed and happy Thanks giving!