The Power of Gratitude

In her incredible book Radical Gratitude, Ellen Vaughn describes what it may have been like to be healed of leprosy:
      One day about two thousand years ago, Jesus was on the outskirts of a village… As he’s on the road, ten tattered lepers call to Him from afar. They dare not draw nearer.
      “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
      Jesus’ heart moves for them. He tells them to go show themselves to the local priest.
Off they go. Faltering but hopeful.
      And as they are going, the Scriptures say, they are healed.
      The ten stumble along the road, ragged robes flapping. Bystanders scurry away as they see the lepers coming.
      As the men hurry, the dirty rags fall from their faces. I can imagine what happened next.
      “Hiram!” shouts one. “Your nose!”
      “What do you mean, my nose?” says Hiram, bustling along.
      “You’ve got one!”
      “Aaugghghh!”
      Piling to a stop, slamming into one another like clowns at the circus, they stare at each other’s faces, mouths wide open. They unwind the rags from their hands, shouting because they have fingers again. They leap into the air; they land, sure-footed. They strip off their bonds and clap their arms around each others’ shoulders, laughing with joy. They can’t wait to find their families. They sprint toward town.

      But one whirls and turns in the other direction, back toward Jesus. He runs fast with his new feet. Weeping, he falls and kisses Jesus’ perfect ones.
      “Thank You!” he sobs. Thank you. Thank you.


      Ten were rescued, cleansed, given a brand-new beginning. Yet nine ran the wrong way. Only one ran for Home base, where Jesus was.
      Friends of our have a family mantra. “Be the one!” they tell their kids and each other. “Be the one who thanks Jesus. Let others go where they may. You be the one who is grateful.”
 

      Be the one!



      What are you grateful for today? Please post a comment here.