Yet Are We Still Thankful?

"While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine — where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.’" Luke 17: 11-19 (NIV)

Thanksgiving came and went - our belts are a little tighter, our families a little closer. We slept in or shopped like fools on Friday, and lit the first Advent candle on Sunday. Time moves on.

Oh, how very thankful we were just four days ago — for life, love, and sustenance. My friends, a life lived fully consists of days filled with Thanksgiving, joy, and an attitude of "enough." If you don’t have enough money to buy the largest gifts for Christmas, perhaps your praise and Thanksgiving for the Christ Child is not honored with your shopping and your giving.

My prayer for you this Advent season is that the spirit of fullness may come over you and fill every niche of your life, that satisfaction for the blessings God has given you is enough. Will each of us be the one who returns to Jesus with Thanksgiving on our lips and fullness in our hearts for the truth of Christmas? He is the one that leads us home. What more could we possibly want this Christmas? What more could we possibly give, than a word, a gesture, and a prayer that will lead another to the path that leads to Eternal Life. Christ Jesus really is He who was promised. We don’t have to fill our lives anymore with things that could replace Him. We have been given enough. Let us pray:

"Holy father, Lord God of all, father of love and life and creation, we bow before you, full of thankfulness for all you have given us. In your kingdom, there is neither male nor female, rich or poor, or those with "different" skin. There are only those you love and worship you. In your house, there is enough — full measure, pressed down and running over. May each day be an opportunity to be thankful for all you have done for us and given us. Forgive us when we whine about not having what we want. We thank you completely for sparing us the curse of always getting what we want. For only that which you give us has any real value and meaning. For all of these blessings, we give you thanks and glorify your name. In the name of, and by the power of, the name of your son, Jesus, the Christ Child of Christmas, we pray. Amen"

Doris

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp

Website: www.dorisgainesrapp.com