Luke 17:15-18 — And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

There are only two times when people fail to say thank You — when they might be expected to be grateful, and when they might not be expected to be grateful!
Which was it, do you think, with lepers? Should Jesus have expected them to be grateful? “Well of course he should” I hear you say. And honestly, I agree with you. But some pretty amazing excuses have been offered:

— One waited to see if the cure was real.
— One waited to see if it would last.
— One said he would see Jesus later.
— One decided that he had never had leprosy.
— One said he would have gotten well anyway.
— One gave the glory to the priests.
— One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
— One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
— One said, “I was already much improved.”
Charles L. Brown, Content The Newsletter Newsletter, June, 1990, p. 3

So what are you thinking? Are you thinking those excuses are a real stretch? So here’s where the shoe pinches. Are you always grateful, and do you always say so? I have to say I’m nearly always grateful — but I don’t always say so. I’m working on it.
There were two excuses I was surprised not to find in Mr. Brown’s list (I’ve seen it suggested that he’s Charley Brown from Peanuts, but I’m not convinced 😉 ). I’m afraid I might fall back on them myself, too often.
The first excuse is “Well, He’s God, of course He healed me.” So here’s the thing — God doesn’t need your gratitude. Everybody else does.
The second excuse is “He’s God. I’m not really comfortable approaching Him.” Hmmm. Remember Hebrews 4:16? ” Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” One time you can be sure that God is never going to be anything but welcoming is when you approach Him with a grateful heart! I’m pretty sure that the same is true of most people you know, as well.
I’m working on being better at recognizing opportunities for being grateful, and taking advantage of them. After all thanks are one of the few things you have that cost you nothing and leaves you feeling richer, as well as the person you give them to!
Have I got you thanking?