My friend Adrian told me about her family’s “blessing tree.” Her family gathers sticks in the yard and then they cut out paper leaves in different colors. Every day throughout the month of November, they write something they are thankful for on a leaf and then put it on the “blessing tree.”

 

What a sweet family tradition.

That got me thinking about all the things I am thankful for and how often I forget to say “thank you” for all the blessings in my life.

Read this powerful story about thankfulness in Luke 17:11-19.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

I want to be like that one leper. I want to do a better job at remembering to say “thank you” to the Lord for all the blessings He has given to me.

This month as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s focus on our blessings and all the things we are thankful for.

Let’s be like that one leper and take the time to go back and say “thank you.”

Write a note, send a text, give a hug, or whisper a prayer of thanksgiving today.

Don’t forget to say “thank you!”