For What I Don’t Have

Happy Canadaland Thanksgiving!

Or Columbus Day if you’re in the States. 

I normally don’t get all religious. Normally, I don’t get religious at all unless I’m in church. However, on occasion a story will come along that just makes sense. I get it. Thanks to Father Conrad for this homily.

It’s a Jesus story, but also a story about giving thanks. For when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem (for his crucifixion) he met 10 men all asking to be healed of leprosy. If you’re up for a Halloween scare Google images of leprosy. I triple dog dare you. Anyway, Jesus told the 10 men to go see the priest. They did and *POOF* they were healed. One man returned to thank Jesus. Only one was thankful for his healing. 

While 9 men were asking themselves “Why me? Why do I have to be a leper?” the tenth was asking “Why me? Why heal me?” He was the thankful one. 

How many lottery winners ask, “Why me?”

How many ask, “Why me?” when good fortune comes their way? Yet we’re quick to question the bad luck, the bad situtations, the tragedies. Yet we always seem deserving of the good that comes to us. 

The theme, naturally, is to give thanks. In the past we usually tell what we’re thankful for; family, friends, food and house (usually in that order). Today is a little different. There’s a twist, if you will. 

There are so many reasons to give thanks. But what am I thankful I don’t have?

I’m thankful that I don’t have:

• leprosy
• to cook the turkey today
• to be the turkey
• kids who hate me (usually)
• to worry about money (usually)
• troubles that are anything more than trivial
• to worry about where my next meal is coming from, where I’m going to sleep, who’s going to love me.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I’ll write another of these thankful posts at the end of November. I love getting two Thanksgivings.

What are you thankful you don’t have?