Jeanne is as successful as a speaker can be and funny is a weak description of her presentations. What strikes me about the article is this disclaimer, “Boring, rude, one-liners, profanity: these descriptions are simply not in Jeanne Robertson’s lexicon. She doesn’t use inappropriate language.” Writer Stephanie Conner states that Robertson knows that her audience wants tasteful humor and that’s what she delivers.

            Too many speakers use foul language to evoke laughter rather than developing cutting edge material. It’s a cheap short term solution. Jeanne has been entertaining audiences for forty-seven years and is more popular today than ever. When an organization books Jeanne, it knows that it will never have to issue an apology because someone was defamed or humiliated. She is a known quantity – trustworthy.

            This has been a banner year for inappropriate speech from politicians, church leaders, celebrities, community leaders and talk show hosts. As the debate about the possible mosque near Ground Zero continues to escalate and the mid-tern elections encourage hate speech, it is past time for everyone to take a step back and a time-out to think about the impact of what he or she is about to say. Perhaps we should send them all to one of Jeanne’s presentations to learn how to communicate without sinking to the lowest common denominator.

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            Jesus, of whom they have heard, comes close and they call out to him. “Heal us,” which he does. He then instructs them to go and show themselves to the priest. They believe him and as they start on their way, they notice that they are healed. One turns around, rushes back to Jesus and falls to the ground profusely thanking Jesus for the miracle. He is a Samaritan. The Jews hated the Samaritans in those days. Jesus asks, “Did I not heal ten?” Then he assures the one that that did return that his faith has made him whole.

            Ten were healed but only one returned to thank his healer. I saw a dramatic presentation of this story several years ago.  Dr. Don Flowers, pastor of Provident Baptist Church, while preaching on this topic stationed the ungrateful nine lepers throughout the congregation. At the appropriate time each one stood to explain his failure to thank Jesus. The dramatization made the experience real. Gratitude is a missing element in today’s society.

            Some people feel entitled to the benefits or gifts they receive. Others are dissatisfied with what they receive because in their mind it isn’t enough. They point to others who received more and claim that they have been treated unfairly. Gratitude is in short supply. In high school I helped several students prepare and rehearse their speeches for student body elections. I received a thank you note from one person. It made such an impression that I still have that note.

            I learned a very important lesson in college. My girlfriend’s mother invited me to have dinner with the family. It was wonderful having a home cooked meal in a warm friendly environment. Afterwards I wrote the mother a thank you note. That note resulted in many more nice dinners. Years later I asked my wife if I should write a thank you note for a kindness I had received. Her answer has stuck with me. “Why do you think that you thought of it?” Wow!

            Think about it. Try this. Think of your last success or happy conclusion. Now, think of all those people involved in getting you there. Write each a thank you note. It does not need to be elaborate. All you need to say is thank you. You might want to be specific. Thank you for introducing me to Carol or thank you for telling me about the job at Boeing. Handwriting is most effective even if yours is as bad as mine which is doubtful.

            There are so many important lessons to be gained from the story of Jesus and the ungrateful lepers, but it blatantly teaches us to live our lives with an attitude of gratitude.

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            Hurry away – that’s what the priest and Levite did when they encountered the man robed, beaten and left alongside the Jericho road. That’s the one Jesus talked about in the Gospel of Luke after being asked, “Who is my neighbor.” A stranger, the third man to come along, heard the injured man. He stopped, took care of his wounds as best he could and then took the injured man to where he could receive the care he needed. The Good Samaritan did the unthinkable. He aided a despised other. The Samaritans and Jews hated each other in those days. The Jews of Jesus’ day were astounded by this parable.

            The priest and the Levite were excused because to touch a dead body would defile them although there were circumstances that would permit them to do so. That’s what we think today. If we interact with unacceptable people, they will rub off on us. We will be defiled. In fact I was once told by a former missionary to the Philippines, “My husband will not eat with you because you eat with black people.”

            Our society is so busy, so desensitized, so fragmented that we do not see or hear one another. We pass each other. We might even speak or wave but we do not see. That is all anyone really wants: is to be noticed, to be heard, to be acknowledged, to be valued.

            Did you speak to a stranger today? Did you offer a word of encouragement to anyone? Did you walk by or just step over the wounded person?  Did you bind up or put ointment on any wounded hurts today? It’s just a question.

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            An observation by the president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, William J. Carl III, caught my attention. “There is only one verse in the Bible that tells us to love our neighbor, but love the stranger is mentioned thirty-six times.”  With the debate over a mosque being built near Ground Zero heating up, perhaps his statement deserves more attention. How do we show hospitality to the stranger in our midst? In just one minute you can make a real difference in the life of someone.

In just one minute, you can:

Greet someone.

Say – thank you.

Write a “thank You” note.

Pray for someone.

Encourage someone.

Smile at someone.

Compliment someone.

Hug someone.

Say, “I love you.”

Forgive someone.

Shake hands with someone.

Welcome someone.

            None of these are very hard or take much time, but try to incorporate any or all of them into your daily life and see the difference your actions make in the lives of those you meet.

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