Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This scripture has always intrigued me. I have often pondered why only one leper came back to thank Jesus. Weren’t the others thankful? Why didn’t they show their gratitude? Let’s think about this together. First of all leprosy was such a terrible disease. When someone contracted leprosy they were cast away as an outsider. We do not know any other background information on these men. Who were they before leprosy stole their identity? What was their background? Were they married or did they have children? How long had they been held prisoner by this disease? So many factors occurred before bringing them to this point of healing by Jesus. Was this their first knowledge of Jesus? Imagine being an outcast cut off from your family and community. Imagine the pain, suffering and loneliness that they had endured. Now imagine their moment of healing. Imagine all the thoughts that they may have experienced. Perhaps they were so overjoyed that they ran off to find their friends and family. Perhaps they were so relieved to be able to leave this area that had caused them so much suffering. Whatever the reasons, they failed to thank the One who had given them the healing they had longed to receive. Take time today to examine your response to God’s healing and forgiveness. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your healing and forgiveness. Forgive me for failing to respond with gratitude immediately to Your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today is Memorial Day and we remember all who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. Let’s begin our week with a focus on our blessings. May we use a lens of gratitude this week as we face trials or bumps in the road. Let’s never forget that no matter what, God is good!

‭‭James‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭NIV — Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Psalm 97:11-12 MSG — Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. So, God’s people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

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Let’s begin our week focused on gratitude by listening to a few of my favorite songs titled Gratitude by Brandon Lake and Counting My Blessings  by Seph Schlueter.

Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Join us on our YouTube channel for See You Saturday as we close out our week sharing on seasons.

As Walt Disney said: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

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‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Will you stay curious after God’s perfect will? As Walt Disney said: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Although it is good to plan, make goals, and dream about the future, it is also important to live in the moment. Recently on social media, I saw a post about living in “one-day” times. This could look like, “one day when my kids are out of diapers” or “one day when I pay off my mortgage.” The problem is one day gets here and we have already moved on to another one day thought like, “one day when I retire.” 

On this Future Friday, I encourage us to re-center our thoughts on Christ and find our one-day moments today. The gifts God has for us includes plans to prosper and hope for the future. They also include the blessing of living in today’s “present” moment. Let me remind you of my mantra for 2022: Live For Today! 

As the sun rises and sets on yet another day, let’s make sure to count the present blessings! I encourage you to watch and listen to the song Wonderful Life by Matthew West. It will put things in perspective. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for keeping me curious. I desire to live for today. Guide me towardYour perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Back in 2022 we celebrated our twins, Kendal and Trevor, graduating high school. It was a joyful time. I feel blessed that God chose Hollie and I to receive these two precious gifts. Hard to believe that Kendal graduated from nursing school this month and Trevor will finished his junior year at Clemson.

A few weeks ago I shared about my personal HPV journey. It is something I do not want my children to experience. The same year they graduated high school and would begin their freshman years in college was the same year of my two surgical procedures for pre-cancer. I remember pouring my heart out to God asking Him to heal me and not get cancer. I desire to be healthy always but especially during such an important time in their lives. Thankfully, God worked out the details that year as we read in ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Are you pouring your heart out to God in prayer? God wants us to share our joys and our specific needs. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your goodness and answered prayer. Thank You for the reminder that You want to hear all my joys and specific needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Bonus: When the Gardasil vaccine for HPV was first approved by the CDC for children, I made the personal choice with my children for Kendal and Trevor to be vaccinated. I was able to help prevent my children from having to experience the cancer causing HPV like I did. I share this not to push vaccines on anyone because that is a personal choice. I share this because it is a part of my Journey. To know more about the Gardasil vaccine for HPV, you can visit the CDC.org.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

As I have shared in the past, I consider today’s key scripture my life verse. When I think of the word Transformation, I think of this verse. Paul uses the word “began,” meaning the work is not finished. 

Our Transformation can be dramatic or a subtle change over a lifetime. Opposite of that would be reverting or withering. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage us all to keep moving and working toward God’s perfect will for our lives. Even if the subtle change is unseen at this moment, keep going. Some of us are ending a chapter in our story and some are beginning a new one. What scripture verse are you carrying with you?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my transformation story. Help me to keep moving and working toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.