To express gratitude
you must put yourself in someone else’s latitude.
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between
Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,
who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master,
have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show
yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a
loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, GIVING him
thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not
ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God
except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith
has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 (emphasis
added)
10 were healed. 1 was thankful.
Thanksgiving is
thanks given.
The expression of gratitude requires us to change what we
are doing and what we are saying.
Thanksgiving is a word of action yet it is not a verb. It is a noun that describes a verb. It is a word that describes not a thing but
an action. There is no thanksgiving until that thanks is given. Thanksgiving is a comment before it is
sentiment.
To properly show gratitude we have to change latitude. We have to put ourselves in the place of the
person we appreciate. This means
physical latitude, spiritual latitude, and emotional latitude. Think like they think. Express your appreciation in their style of
communication…their love language as Dr. Chapman has named it. Gratitude is best given in the language of
the one receiving instead of the one giving.
So change your
latitude and show your gratitude.
