By Coach Debbie

I *almost* wrote an article about food.  I was *this* close.   I’d encourage you to load up on protein and veggies.  Stop at 2 drinks.  Hydrate.  Choose fats over carbs.  But this is NOT an article about today’s platter(s).

Why?  Because you’ve already bought the cake mix and the oven is on and the smells are intoxicating.  Guilt is a horrible motivator.

That’s half the reason this article is not food-focused.  The other reason is because I prayed.  I took my hands off the keyboard and folded them together and asked the Father what He’d like me to write.

Set the timer on your green bean casserole, sneak away from your in-laws, and read this.  I’ll do my very best to be brief.  Everyone knows burnt foods are not quickly forgiven.

Luke 17:11b-14a reads, “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.”

• LEPROSY:  Leprosy was one of the most feared diseases back in the day.  Contagious.  Incurable.  Painful.  Fatal.  Banished & Isolated from society.

The story continues.  Luke 17:14-17 says, “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?”

You know those days when you’ve had it up to HERE with toys everywhere and you decide it’s time to make chaos into order?  Your kids panic that you’ll throw away their “favorite” broken truck.  When you do that spring cleaning, for a while it looks WORSE, doesn’t it?  You’ve emptied closets and toys bins and there’s not an inch of carpet to be seen.  That’s what is happening next, bear with me.  (Do you need to go check the stove, by the way?)

Leprosy represents SPIRITUAL DISEASE…..SIN.   Contagious.  Incurable.  Painful.  Fatal.  Leading to Separation from Christ. 

And we are INFECTED.  Like an inward poison that surfaces at some point or another.

Ready for some good news?  Jesus is the MIRACLE, the CURE, the BALM, the SAVIOR.

But you’ve heard that a time or two, haven’t you?

I want to point out something you may have missed.  It’s tucked away quietly in verse 14:  “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

Did you see it?  AS THEY WENT.  A step of faith, an act of obedience.  Do you trust Him enough that you act BEFORE seeing evidence?  He blessed them IN the process.

We’re still unpacking.

You have been healed and set free, thanks to the Savior.  You are blessed beyond measure.  Are you, am I, like the 9 men who got their wish granted and went on with life?  Or are you, am I, like the 1 man who remembers to purposefully thank and praise our Healer?  I wonder if we have a 10% rate of gratitude.

Today, as you count your blessings while shoveling in pecan pie, ask God to remind you to thank and praise Him CONSTANTLY.