Somewhere I read that the most important words you can say in a relationship are ‘thank you’. I thought it was ‘I love you’, but maybe the article referred to all kinds of relationships, not exclusively a husband and wife. Shouldn’t be hard to say those two golden words, should it? Do you hear them very often? Or have we become an entitlement society? Others expect whatever from us? ‘Hand it over. I deserve it’. You get the point.

I have to ask myself if I utter those two words regularly. Or have I fallen into an ingratitude trap, presuming my rights. Should be easy-peasy to say ‘thank you’. Hardly any effort involved. So, why is that so hard?

That story in Luke 17 tells of ten men with a disease that requires lengthy quarantine. The condition is called leprosy, but in the Bible that word covers several communicable skin diseases. Whatever it is, it’s highly contagious. As Jesus walks by, these ten men cry out from a secluded distance–‘…Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’ (Luke 17:13). Immediately, the Lord does exactly that, while telling them to show themselves as healed to some religious leaders, verifying this miracle. At first, these men notice no change in their malady until they start on their journey and then, yes, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, they’re all healed! Each and every one. Clean as clean can be. Skin as smooth and blemish-free as a baby’s!

The reaction of those ten men to this supernatural wonder? They stampede back to Jesus? Hardly. One, only one, stops in his tracks and heads back to Jesus. He’s the only one to go out of his way to thank the Lord. The only one who bothers to take some time out of his busy schedule to offer thanks. The only one–‘Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks’ (v. 15-16). At least one showed gratitude. But only one? That’s it? Why is that so hard?

I wonder how many Christians spend much time thanking Jesus for all He’s done and is doing for them? Or do we only pray, asking for things for ourselves and some others, time and weather permitting? I’ve known some to ask God to increase the value of their stock portfolios! No, not me. I remember asking a church prayer group to solely offer thanks to God for the first part of our weekly meeting. Praise and thanks exclusively to our God. Well, guess what? That lasted about thirty seconds. Why is that so hard?

Why? To thank God? He deserves it, doesn’t He? We should be more responsive and grateful, shouldn’t we? I’m looking in the mirror now. I’m no better than anyone else. But honestly, I don’t want to stay that way. Effort is called for. A determination to be more open with my thanks. Not in a forced way, though it may feel that way at first. Or rote, when the same old praise words get used, nauseatingly, over and over again. And certainly not hoping that my thank-yous will lead the Almighty to give in on things I’ve asked for that haven’t shown up yet. Twist His arm by buttering Him up. ‘Leave It to Beaver’s’ Eddie Haskell of prayer time!

But be spontaneous, fresh, and alert, and, of course, thankful for many good reasons. Let Him know how much you appreciate and love Him. That without Him, your life would be dull, drab, and doomed. It isn’t, is it? Quite the contrary. And all because of Him. This week I’m going to thank Him more and more. Genuinely heartfelt. At least I hope to.

That won’t be too hard, will it?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your love. A million times over, thank you! Amen.