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Luke 17:15-16 "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."

Think

Tim Keller said, “It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another thing to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.” This simple yet profound statement reminds us that gratitude, while essential, is incomplete if it goes unexpressed. We might feel thankfulness, but until it translates into action—into words, prayers, or kind gestures—its power is held back. We often assume people know we appreciate them or that God knows we’re thankful, but unspoken gratitude is like a song that goes unheard. True thanksgiving requires us to move from just feeling to doing.

Gratitude, when expressed, doesn’t only benefit the person receiving it; it transforms us as well. When we actively give thanks, we open ourselves to a deeper experience of joy. God designed gratitude to be relational, not just something we feel privately. We’re called to let it flow out in praise, prayer, and encouragement to others. Consider how expressing thanks can change a relationship, how it can soften hearts and bring light into even the most ordinary moments. Giving thanks creates a connection—it builds trust and intimacy, whether between us and God or among family and friends.

Think of the story in Luke 17, where ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one returns to thank him. Jesus acknowledges this man’s gratitude, noting that his act of thanksgiving made him “well” in a way the others missed. This story shows us that gratitude, when expressed, deepens our sense of healing and wholeness. In the same way, our expressions of thanks—whether to God or others—root us in a sense of peace and fulfillment that goes beyond mere feelings. When we take a moment to thank someone or give God praise, we experience his presence in a more profound way.

Today, don’t let your gratitude remain silent. Take a moment to thank God for the gifts he’s given and reach out to thank someone who has impacted your life. Let thanksgiving be more than a feeling—make it an action that draws you closer to God and those around you.

Apply

Take five minutes to write a thank-you note, email, or text to someone who has impacted your life. This simple gesture can strengthen your relationship and make a big difference in their day.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the ways you care for me, even in the smallest details of my life. Help me not just to feel grateful, but to show it. When I’m with others, enable me to be open about my gratitude and to encourage them with my thankfulness, too. Let my words and actions reflect a heart that’s truly grateful for all you’ve done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.