I guess one of the things that I struggle with is people who are totally unappreciative of kindnesses and love that good people bestow on others. I suppose one should not be quick to blame folks for the coldness that exists in this present world. Yet, just the other day I was walking in a store and a lady was behind me pushing a baby stroller. I paused to hold the door for her and she looked at me and said, “You don’t need to do that. Will you move please?”

Needless to say I was simply astonished. I was brought up with the teaching that if a woman is walking down the sidewalk with you that you walk on the side near the road, to say please and thank you, to say I’m sorry and to be grateful and indebted to those who were so kind to go out of their way for you. My gift reminds me to keep on being nice even when people in this bitter impolite civilization don’t care. You know why? It is more important what God sees in us than what the spiritually blind can’t see. Heaven will be inhabited by the grateful.

“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? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:12 – 19

Did you read it? One of them said thank you. Ten were healed by the love of Jesus. Only one said thank you. In these days it is hard to keep a gentle heart of caring and being full of love. Many take advantage of the Lord’s church. Many in the church take advantage of each other thinking it is a requirement. They use the church to get married, bury their dead and even as a pillow of comfort when they days are tough.  Then, just like the nine they just walk off and bathe in their good things they received never uttering an sentiment of thanks.

Let me encourage all of us to keep doing the good things. I know someone who is very thankful. He matters the most.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matt 5:11 – 14

– Rick Woodall