15 And one of them, when he saw
that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16 And
fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And
Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the
nine? 18 There are not found
that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And
he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
–Luke 17:15-19 (KJV)
Gratitude given and received is always a
positive and uplifting experience. A genuine “thank you” truly
warms the heart. I was reading an article a number of months ago
about good communication and the writer suggested we do well to respond
to a thank you with a simple “you’re welcome.” If we respond
to a thank you with “no problem,” “that’s okay,” or “don’t
mention it,” we then run the risk of possibly devaluing the offered
gratitude. I confess I had not given it much thought, but he is
correct. These days if someone says thank you, I reply with a
sincere “you’re welcome.” You really cannot go wrong with
such a response.
The Bible describes in Luke 17 how Jesus
healed ten lepers of their disease. The men were so excited over
being healed only one came back to say thank you. Instead of offering
the prescribed, “you’re welcome,” Jesus used this as a teaching
moment. Jesus pointed out to those who had gathered that the one
leper who had come back to say thank you for his healing was of the
hated people known as Samaritans. Jesus reminded them of how the
grace of God extends to all who believe regardless of race or ethnic
background. Jesus may not have used those nice words “you’re
welcome,” yet He truly received, and appreciated, the man’s gratitude.
I wear many hats and one of them is part-time
school bus driver. My sister suggested I write a book about my
experiences driving a school bus, and believe me there is ample material,
yet I have not found the time to pursue this project. Last week
I was driving a group of 30 or so rambunctious elementary school boys
to the local Boy’s and Girl’s Club when I received a call on the
radio asking me to go back to the school and pick up a child who had
missed the bus. I circled the block and after picking up the child,
a little boy named Billy*, resumed the drive. Along the way, my
charges became loud and unruly and it was only with numerous threats
of giving names to the school principle I was able to restore something
which resembled order.
Upon arriving at our destination, the boys
all got off the bus. I noticed Billy, the little boy I had to
go back to pick up, had waited to speak with me. Once all the
boys were off the bus, Billy said, “Mr. Dan, thank you for coming
back to get me. I’m sorry I made you late.” A few minutes
earlier I was exasperated, yet I felt tears in my eyes over this child’s
words (“Were there not ten cleansed?”) I could think of no
other response. “You’re welcome Billy,” I said.
I have had many a thank you in my life.
I will not forget this one.
God bless you today.
*Name has been changed.
