” Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this one foreigner?’ ” Luke 17:17-18
I really do not think the other nine lepers were ungrateful or rude. Leprosy was a horrible disease. Not only did it eat away your skin, but it ate away your existence in the community. You could not associate with anyone. Your spouse or your children could not get near you to hug you. It was a very lonely and isolating disease.
My guess is that the other nine dashed away rejoicing and seeking their friends and families. Their arms had ached for their loved ones and now miracles of miracles they could hold them. They wanted everyone to share in their joy. Perhaps they even gave the credit to this man Jesus whom they met on the road.
When things are “eating me”, I can feel isolated if I let myself get in a slump and throw a pity party. When I receive God’s mercy and grace, I, too, want to run and tell everyone, “Look what happened. Look what God did!” When I know people have been praying for me, I want to tell them their prayers were heard. I certainly want to hear that from others I’ve been praying for. Then when things calm down, I go to my closet and thank my Lord for His wondrous love.
Have I been praising Him to others before I take time to praise and thank Him? Probably. Like a child who gets the Christmas present they earnestly desired, how often have I ripped open God’s blessings wrapped especially me, gasped, bounced up and down in excitement and joy, and then dashed off to enjoy it without hugging my Daddy around the neck and thanking him?
Heavenly Father, forgive me for not turning to You and thanking you immediately for the gifts you bestow on me – your healing mercy, love and grace. Forgive me for not sharing my joy with you first and foremost as 
quickly as I share my sorrow and distress. I do praise You and love You and need You daily in my life. Cleanse me from whatever is eating me and remind me that I need to lay it all at the foot of the Cross in praise and thanksgiving- good and bad – because all is Yours and all is for purpose. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Where Did You Find God Today? 