About a month ago, on my drive home from work, a pickup truck pulling a trailer rounded a sharp curve and crossed the center line. I moved over slightly, but the truck kept moving further into my lane, almost to the point of wiping me out. I was nearly in the ditch line when, in the nick of time, the other driver corrected. I was shaken but relieved there had been no collision, and I thanked God for sparing me.

This morning, I had a similar experience, but this time, I was the one at fault. As I pulled out of my driveway onto the road that runs the length of my “hollar,” I nearly collided with another vehicle. Although it is rare to have traffic on my rural road at that hour, I typically stop and look both ways. But this morning, I was distracted and careless. (I don’t know who was in the small, white car going up my road, but if you are reading this, I sincerely apologize.) As before, I was relieved there was no collision, and my immediate response was, “Thank you, Lord.”

I am glad that, in both of these instances, my mind turned heavenward in expressions of gratitude, but I admit I am not always so quick on the draw with my thanks and praise. In fact, developing an “attitude of gratitude” has been a learning experience and is part of my ongoing, yet-to-be perfected sanctification.

Many times, I have asked God to answer my prayers – to bless me, heal me, provide for me, deliver me – and I’ve also prayed these things on behalf of others. But then, when God answers those prayers and grants that blessing, that healing, that provision, or that deliverance, am I equally faithful in offering Him my thanks?

Luke 17 tells us that Jesus encountered ten men who were lepers. These men cried out to Him, asking for His mercy. Jesus instructed them to show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. But only one of these men, when he saw that he was healed, returned to say thank you. He loudly praised God, fell down at Jesus' feet, and thanked Him for what He had done on his behalf.

And lest we think that our gratitude or lack thereof goes unnoticed, Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Jesus recognized that only one had returned to give glory to God.

“Father in Heaven, teach me to be a grateful and thankful person. Remind me not to take Your many blessings and provisions for granted, for everything that I am and have comes directly from Your hand. Forgive me when I have been one of the nine. Help me to be the tenth man.”