Are You the One or the Nine?

Today, a daily devotional from Greg Lane's book, My Morning Walks With God, moved my heart. His story was about the ten lepers Jesus healed, and only one returned to say thank You. The word God put in his heart seven years ago ministered to my heart today. That's what God's Word does; time has no constraints on how His Spirit moves. Praise God!

As I read the article, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my prayer for traveling protection only days earlier. God was gracious and kept us safe (and others safe from us) on our way to and from our destination. But hours later, I repented for not remembering to thank Him earlier. Tears filled my eyes as I continued reading. That was not the first or only time that I neglected to let God know how grateful I am that He hears my requests and responds. I asked Him to forgive me for those times I had forgotten.

Have you ever experienced a similar situation after praying to God? Perhaps, like me, you've seen Him send a refreshing shower to water your plants, sparing you to stand for an hour with a hose. Or maybe He's helped you find misplaced keys or cell phones or even performed a miraculous healing or rescue of a loved one you've prayed for. In these moments, our heavenly Father longs for us to acknowledge Him. Even amid adversity, when we cry out to Him, He desires to hear from us that we love and trust Him and are grateful for His faithful, unwavering care regardless of the need's magnitude.

God lavishly pours His goodness, mercy, and grace on us. Let us strive to be like the healed leper, not the ungrateful nine. Our gratitude blesses God's heart; He longs to hear you, and I say, "Thank You, Father, for Your abundant blessings. I love You."

"In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18