Thanksgiving Reflections

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Piglet noticed that even though he had a
Very Small Heart,
it could hold a rather large amount
of Gratitude.  

 (A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh)

I’m envious of Piglet. Even though small, his penchant for giving thanks fills his little heart and life. Having six grandchildren, I've read a lot of Winnie the Pooh. Little Piglet, in his oversized striped shirt and quirky smile, is typically happy, spirited, and ready for any adventure. He loves his friends, sunshine, and playtime. Piglet lives full of passion and purpose–and gratitude.

Most days I don’t feel like Piglet. Instead, I feel like one of the nine take-it-for-granted lepers spoken of in Luke 17. Yes, there were ten at the beginning of the story–ten pitiful outcasts standing in their rags, skin oozing with painful leprous lesions and screaming for pity. Jesus, a notable teacher, and Rabbi was passing through their borderland wilderness, and so they yelled at him too.

Customarily dismissed, I don’t imagine they were surprised when he told them to “Go….” But, Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest, which either meant they would be healed or like everyone else, he merely wanted them to take their contagious selves far, far away from him. Off they trudged, and somewhere in the short journey toward the temple, they noticed their skin cleared, the pain ceased, and they were healed! Nine out of ten of them kept right on going. Had it been me, I would have headed straight for a pedicure.

But one man was much like Piglet. He had a little heart with a large amount of gratitude. He returned to Rabbi Jesus and quite literally fell on his face before him. Convulsing with thanksgiving, he praised the Master for restoring his physical health and spiritual wholeness. Without a doubt, his life was re-ignited!

Gratitude was everything.

Thankfulness re-ignites our lives. Living each day with gratitude fills them with passion and purpose.