Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee, similar to rival areas like Missouri and Kansas. As he was going into a one red light town, ten men who had leprosy, a horrific, contagious skin disease, met him. They stood at a distance and hollered 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. (Can you imagine seeing your skin heal before your eyes?)

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice and giving Jesus three claps. 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? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then Jesus said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:11-19 with a few additions)

What a tragedy it would be if only 10% of people ever took the time to go give thanks to people who changed their lives. During this month in which our nation celebrates Thanksgiving, I urge you to take the time, go back, and give thanks to people of your past who God has used to change and shape your life. For example, this morning I sent an email to the person who invested two years in my life when I first became a follower of Christ in 1982.

Let's play catch! Your turn to throw!