Attitude? Gratitude?

Now it is interesting, isn't it, to think about our attitude and if we really have gratitude.  We can all remember our mother's saying "now, what do you say?"  Depending on what was given to us we might even actually mean the "thank you" - right?  Sometimes it was more of an if I say this I will be allowed to at least move away if not leave.  If you think about it, though, our attitude IS how we deal with things.  It might only be "acceptance" of what is happening but it is an attitude.

Today the Scripture reading is in Luke 17 where Jesus has cured 10 men with, depending on the translation, a skin disease or leprosy.  They have followed the rules/laws - they have stayed "at a distance."  Jesus sends them to the priests, also following the rules/laws, and all 10 are healed.  Only one returns, however, the foreigner - the one everyone would at least try to ignore.  Even Jesus asks "has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" (v. 18 NIV)  Thanking and praising God might mean making an attitude "adjustment."  

I don't mean we should be thanking God for the earthquakes, the cancer, the difficult changes happening around us.  I do mean we should be thanking God for being with us - EMMANUEL - through the difficulties. Depending on what is happening the only thing we might be able to "hold onto" is KNOWING God IS with us -- holding us by the hand and in God's hand (like my friend Isaiah says).

So...... what is your attitude?  Can you have an "attitude of gratitude"?  Can we "enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name"? (Psalm 100:4)  Something to be thinking about........