Today's Devotional
November 11, 2008
Subject: Thank You
Luke 17:12- “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."
It happens to me as I walk the streets in Houston, Texas. While wearing my Marine Corps uniform, I could be pumping gas or shopping for a few items at the grocery store, a complete stranger will come up and say, "thank you for your service." My response to those when they thank me for serving is always, "it is my privilege to serve" and indeed it is. The sincerity of their gratitude always seems to amaze me.
This phenomenon of appreciation often happens on a corporate scale also. From Churchill Downs letting my entire family in free to see the horse races on July 4th, to Disney World doing the same, we've experienced many people in this country finding a way to say thanks to military veterans who have served this country. The irony of it all is that veterans don't do it for the thanks, but the thanks are yet appreciated. As one quote puts it, "Your Freedom, Our Lives, No Complaints."
Today on Veteran's Day, think about those in the scripture above. They were set free from their issues and only one of them ever said, "thanks" for that freedom. What about you today? While God is to be praised and glorified for our ultimate freedom from the world, you also have the opportunity to thank those that He has used to bring about your political freedom in this world.
This Veteran's Day, be like the "good Samaritan" in the passage above. Find a vet and say "thank you."
Carlen
