Twas the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house ...

Well, you get the idea. You can fill in the blank with all the delightful things being prepared in your kitchen.

But like I previously wrote, that's really not what Thanksgiving is all about.

The following was found scratched onto a wall in the World War II Nazi concentration camp of Cologne that imprisoned a Jewish population. It was etched into the wall of a cellar.

I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
And I believe in love,
even when I can't feel it.
And I believe in God, 
even when he is silent.

Can you be thankful in the seasons of loss?

There is a story about Jesus that is akin to that spirit. It's recorded in Luke 17.

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!"16 He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."

The reality of the life of a leper was one of loss. They lost their health. They lost their status in the community. They lost their employment. They lost their families. They were forced to live in the outskirts of civilization, left to fend for themselves outside the safety of the walled cities. They lost their dignity. They were required to "warn" people who approached them by shouting out "Unclean! Unclean!" It was a life of terrible loss.

Notice this one little detail in the story: when were they healed? Only after they obeyed and stepped out on faith heading to see the priests (the only one's who could declare them 'healed').

They had to step out on faith. They had to start. They had to begin the journey of gratitude before they had anything to be grateful for.

Only one of those people fully understood what thanksgiving is all about. Even before he is "declared clean" he is grateful. Even while he is still living a life of loss; he is grateful. No matter the urgent "business at hand"; he isn't too busy to humble himself to express deep gratitude for where he is life.

Are you grateful?

Are you grateful ... if???

Are you grateful ... when???

Are you grateful ... regardless?

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever. Even if I don't hear Him and even if I think Him silent.