Saying Thanks

Yesterday we reflected on the story in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50, where a Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to dinner, and a “sinful” woman shows up uninvited. She comes into the Pharisee’s house, kneels down at Jesus’ feet, and washes them with costly oil and tears.

Sometimes I try to identify myself with people in Scripture, just to see where it might touch me personally. In this story, I’d like to think that I would identify more closely with the woman, who knows how God has touched her life, feels a tremendous sense of gratitude, and who responds so boldly. But I suspect I’m more like Simon than I think. Most of the time, I get caught up in the trivial, the day-to-day, and I lose sight of all that God has done for me.

The truth is, none of us have to look far to see how richly God has blessed us. On the cross at Calvary, Jesus stretched out his arms, poured out his life to show us the depths of God’s love and mercy. We are forgiven. We are loved. We have been blessed beyond measure.

At the end of the story, Jesus said to the woman, “Go in peace. Your faith has saved you.” Her faith looked a lot like gratitude. She not only acknowledged the gift; she found a way to say thank you.

I wonder: How different would our lives be if we responded to God’s mercy with the bold love of this woman?

Let us pray: Today, O God, I am grateful for friends and family, for others to walk alongside me on this journey of life. I am grateful for the gift of salvation—for the cross, and for your unconditional love. I am grateful for the Dial Hope community and for my church family. I want to find ways to say thank you. Nudge me, prompt me, and help me find ways to respond. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.