Scripture References: Luke 17:11-19; Psalm 145 (Ashrei); Romans 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Intro: Happy Thanksgiving season! This time often prompts reflection on gratitude. A personal "growing gratitude" project revealed surprising levels of personal ingratitude and entitlement. While our culture marks Thanksgiving annually, Christian/Jewish heritage involves daily practices of thankfulness (prayers, blessings) – recognizing God as the source of all good and training hearts in gratitude. Let's explore the importance of expressed gratitude.

Key Points:

1. Cultivating Gratitude Daily (Jewish Tradition): Devout Jews practiced gratitude constantly through daily prayers (like the Ashrei/Ps 145) and specific blessings for food, nature, and occasions. This liturgy fostered an awareness of God's goodness and provision in everyday life, shaping perspective and countering entitlement.
2. The Danger of Ingratitude (Rom 1:21): Our culture often breeds entitlement. Romans 1 warns that knowing God but failing to glorify or thank Him leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts. Ingratitude is hard to see in ourselves but damages our connection with God and others.
3. Ingratitude's Relational Impact: Unexpressed gratitude often feels like rejection or being taken for granted. It chills generosity and can slowly shut down relationships (with spouse, kids, boss, God). Hearts naturally gravitate toward environments where gratitude is expressed.
4. The Ten Lepers: Be a Returner (Luke 17:11-19): Jesus healed ten lepers, restoring their lives. Only one (a foreigner) came back to actively thank Him. The other nine likely felt grateful but didn't express it to the source. Jesus noticed ("Weren't there ten?"). We're called to be "returners" – actively going back to thank God and others who enabled us.
5. Expressing Gratitude Specifically: Overcome barriers to thanking (overwhelm, awkwardness). It doesn't require formal notes; like the Samaritan, a heartfelt "Thank You!" matters. Get specific. General thanks is okay, but specific appreciation ("Thank you for X...") deeply connects and validates the giver. Who do you need to return to and thank specifically?

Conclusion: Gratitude, especially when expressed, is vital. It combats entitlement, nurtures relationships, and keeps our hearts rightly oriented to God as the Giver of all good things. Following the example of the one leper, let's become intentional "returners," closing the loop by specifically thanking both God and the people who have blessed us.

Call to Action: Reflect: Who or what enables you? Identify specific people (and God!) you need to thank. Reject the paralysis of overwhelm or awkwardness. Take simple steps this week to express specific gratitude to God and at least one person. Come to communion as "gratitude training," remembering Jesus, the ultimate gift enabling all others.

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