By Lisa Wilmore
My Dear Friends,
What does it cost people to be kind? What does it cost people to say, “Thank You” or “I really appreciate you”? The answer-nothing but a grateful heart.
Have you ever been around people who feel they are entitled to whatever you do for them, but they never acknowledge or appreciate others? These are the kind of people who take but never reach forward to help or be kind to those persons who constantly pour out. As Christians, we must properly acknowledge others from a grateful heart which would encourage deeper and stronger love of each other.
In addition, we must take time to think about the goodness of Jesus and radiate our thankfulness from a heart of gratitude-a heart that truly appreciates who He is, and what He has done for us. It does not matter how well you know Christ or how well you know people, it is always in order to say, “Thank You”! In fact, when our attitudes yield grateful hearts and kindnesses toward God and others, we realize that He resides in us.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). When we imitate Christ’s attitude of love, we will exude thankfulness (v.15), forgiveness, and His peace that rules our lives, we will realize all the good things that He has done for us-things that we do not deserve.
Luke recorded the account when Jesus healed ten men with leprosy. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when ten men cried out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He instructed them to go show themselves to the priest. The Bible revealed that as they went, they were cleansed. However, one of them returned to Jesus, praising Him in a loud voice. “He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.” Jesus asked, “were not all ten cleansed?” Then he said to him, “rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:11-19).
My friends, God honors a grateful heart. This one man who HAD leprosy, appreciated and thanked God from a grateful heart. Is that place in your heart where you appreciate and thank God as well as others? “Appreciation that flows from a heart that is grateful” reveal the grace of God at work in our lives.
