’Twas the day before Thanksgiving, when all through the land,
the whole country was traveling, by plane and by van. . . .
If you’re one of the nearly eighty million people helping to break travel records this holiday week, you may be reading these words as you stand in line to board a plane or from the passenger seat of your car. At some point over the next twenty-four hours, maybe you’ll send your ETA to loved ones waiting to welcome you, or you’ll send your exact location so they can track you as you travel. They’ll follow your little blue GPS dot as it treks along, closing the distance gap between you and them.
When you finally arrive in the driveway, they’ll open the front door before you can knock and wrap you in a warm hug. Later on, as you say goodbye, you’ll think to yourself, Phone calls are helpful, and FaceTime is great—but there’s a reason people count the days until they can be together in person again.
A Season to Reconnect
The holidays are filled with opportunities to reconnect with the ones you care about most. You may be arriving at this Thanksgiving travel-weary—not merely tired because of the trip itself but because life has taken you for a ride this fall. In the midst of a family health crisis, exhausting ministry responsibilities, or a stressful season at work, perhaps you’ve grown slower in responding to text messages. You’ve been distracted when talking on the phone and forgetful about what’s happening in the lives of others.
For you, this week is not only a chance to sit still after a few nonstop months, it’s the opportunity to sit across from a family member at the dinner table or curl up on the couch across from an old friend. It’s the chance to get caught up, to laugh together until you can’t breathe, to linger as you listen . . . and to leave feeling filled up and restored.
Sometimes, closing the gap in a relationship requires nothing more than simply spending intentional time together and remembering why you’re thankful for their presence in your life.
Have you considered that the same can be true of your relationship with the Lord?
Maybe you’ve grown disconnected from Jesus, and it’s been a long time since you’ve given Him your full attention. If that’s the case, spend time with Him this holiday week.
You may be tempted to wait until Sunday, after you’ve flown back home or all of your guests have left. But don’t miss the opportunity to draw near to Jesus today: push back your cooking schedule by half an hour, or slip away for a few moments after everyone goes to bed. Then grab your Bible and find a quiet corner and begin to catch up with Him. Even a few minutes in His presence can help restore the closeness you’ve been missing.
From Distance to Devotion
If it’s been awhile since you’ve had quiet time in the Word, one suggestion would be to turn to the Gospels and focus on the words and works of Jesus. A meaningful place to start, especially this Thanksgiving week, is the account of the grateful Samaritan in Luke 17:
While [Jesus was] traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.
But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. (vv. 11–16)
It’s easy to read that Jesus encountered ten men with leprosy and not think much about the reality of their situation. Leprosy was an incurable disease that progressed slowly. What began as little specks on the eyelids would eventually cover the skin, eating through the tissue, and rotting the whole body. But it wasn’t only a physical condition. The relational and psychological symptoms a leper faced were devastating. According to Leviticus 13:45–46, a leper had to tear his clothes, render his garments, and cry out, “Unclean, unclean!” He was required to live alone outside the camp. To be a leper, scholars have said, was considered the saddest calamity of life.
When the lepers first met Jesus, it’s no surprise “they stood at a distance” (v. 12). They had no other choice—they weren’t allowed to draw near to others. That’s what makes the end of the story so incredibly moving. Can you imagine witnessing the leper when realization dawned on him? Jesus had heard his cries, seen his ostracization, and responded.
The leper was not only healed, but he could draw near to others, including the Son of God Himself. Seeing that, the one returned and threw himself at Jesus’ feet.
But One Returned
In Luke 17, only the one leper returned to thank Jesus:
Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” (v. 17)
While all ten received Jesus’ gift of physical healing, only one came back to thank the One who gave it. One man returned, grateful and unashamed to give God all the glory. By faith, he received more than physical healing; he gained a relationship with God.
Gratitude drew the leper nearer to Jesus, and not just for that moment. Today, He is worshiping in the presence of the One who healed him. Gratitude can do the same for you.
As you think back over the story, consider how the leper’s testimony parallels your own. What reasons do you have to turn to Jesus and thank Him? Here are five to get you started.
1. Thank You, Lord, that You not only hear my cry, You respond in mercy.
Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)LORD, my God,
I cried to you for help, and you healed me. (Psalm 30:2)
2. Thank You, Lord, that You are able to forgive all sin and heal all diseases.
My soul, bless the LORD,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
My soul, bless the LORD,
and do not forget all his benefits.He forgives all your iniquity;
he heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:1–3)
3. Thank You, Lord, for loving me even while I was Your enemy.
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)
4. Thank You, Lord, for bringing me near through the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)
5. Thank You, Lord, that one day soon I’ll be with You forever.
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
The Secret to a More Thankful Thanksgiving
Gratitude isn’t merely one more thing to add to your holiday to-do list. When you choose to pause and spend time with Jesus, you will grow in thankfulness—not just for God’s blessings, but for Him.
You won’t regret a single moment you spend in the Word this holiday season. In fact, you just might find that lingering in the Lord’s presence gives you the infusion of grace and gratitude your heart needs to have a truly happy Thanksgiving.
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