Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. I love almost everything about it. I love the reason for the celebration, the time spent with family and friends and the delicious food. I enjoy all of the heartfelt expressions of gratitude that seem to flow so freely and so frequently.

This month as I have thought about Thanksgiving and the many, many things in my life for which I am thankful, I have pondered the subject of gratitude. My thoughts were led to the New Testament story of the ten lepers.

In this story, Christ went to a village and came upon ten men with leprosy. All ten of these men asked Christ to heal them of their disease. The Savior told them to go and show themselves to the priests. When the men did as they were told, they were healed. After they were healed, one of the ten returned, fell down at Christ’s feet and thanked Him. All ten were healed but only one thought to return and thank the Savior.

As I reflected on this story, I wondered how often I am like the nine lepers that did not return to thank the Savior. When things get dark and difficult, when trials seem to overwhelm and begin to consume me, I plead with my Heavenly Father to rescue me, to make my way easier. When He does, do I quickly breathe a sigh of relief and go about my way? Or do I return to Him and thank Him for blessing me once again?

This month and every month forward, I will try to remember this story about gratitude. I will try to be as quick to thank my Heavenly Father as I am to ask for His help. Instead of following the example of the nine, I will try to follow the example of the ONE.