On the day of our creation
God made the wondrous nose
So we could smell what Mom was cooking
And we could sniff the fragrant rose
When we’re sick it’s always running
When we’re happy then it glows
And it twinkles when were laughing
And turns up at smelly toes!
But the best thing that it tells us
And of everything it knows
Is the air is always sweetest
In the garden where Christ rose!
Wondrous Nose by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32 NIV
My wife and I used to ride in separate vehicles on the way to church because I was leading the hymns at nursing home during the Sunday school hour. Usually one son went with her while the other tagged along with me. I’m still not sure what happened on that ill fated Sunday but somehow we forgot one boy at church. Chris realized something odd had happened but he didn’t panic. First he searched up and down the gradually emptying church then after he checked everywhere that he could think of he sat down on the steps and tried to think of what to do. As one of the deacons (Who thankfully was our close friend) went to lock the doors he saw Chris.
“So where’s your mom and dad?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” Chris answered shaking his head.
“If you want to ride in my truck I’ll take you home.” John offered.
Meanwhile back at home we had just realized what had happened and in embarrassment I ran out the door ready to speed back to church. Just then John’s old red truck pulled in our driveway. At that moment everyone had a smile on their faces except for me.
Photo by Eneida Nieves on Pexels.com
“Forget something?” John asked with a chuckle as he opened the door and Chris hopped out. My wife and I both ran to embrace our briefly lost son. Imagine how the heart of God bursts when we come home to Him. He never forgets us even when we have forgotten Him. Instead He sent Jesus to pick us up and put us on the road that leads us safely home!
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 KJV
“What’s the magic word?” My Mom asked as I reached for the brownie in her hand. My six year old brain whirled for a moment then a little light went on in my brain. “Thank you Mom” As young children most of our parents make an attempt to teach us please and thank you. But why does it really matter? Jesus thinks it does and on the day he healed ten lepers He showed us why. 
That morning Jesus met ten men afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy. They all kept their distance and shouted, “Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!” Jesus agreed to heal them, but first He sent them to the priest for inspection as the law required. On their way towards the village the men saw that their leprous spots had disappeared. Nine rushed forward towards the priest but one man did what always put a smile on my mother’s face; He went back to say thank you – without being asked!
He decided that he could wait to see everyone else; but he couldn’t wait to see Jesus. Then for the first time that he was allowed to come close to anyone, He fell at Jesus’ feet to worship and give thanks. As you read this maybe you’re still up to your elbows in leftover turkey. But what better way is there to open the door to Christmas than a special day to say thank you?
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