I was having lunch at a local establishment. Sitting close by was a family: mom and dad and a kid who looked around ten years old. When the food came, the first thing the kid did was to quietly bow his head and return thanks in his own way. He did this with no prompting or urging from his parents.
I was really impressed. He took the time to remember the Giver. He took the time to say thank you to the One who provides.
The Gospel of Luke has the story of Jesus healing ten men who had the dreaded skin disease of leprosy. Only one came back to say thank you to the Great Physician who made him well. Jesus was obviously disappointed and asked the question, "Didn't I heal ten? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17: 11-19)
I'm afraid that the words of the great French writer Balzac are true: "Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in the dictionary, but not in life."
My prayer today is that I will not forget the importance of showing gratitude, of saying thank you. Thank you to others for little deeds of kindness. Thank you to those who have gone out of their way for me. Thank you to our Heavenly Father who loves us with an unconditional love. Maybe this is your prayer also.
Happy Thanksgiving! May this truly be a day that we express our gratitude to God.