Which is best, courtesy or gratitude? How will the answer to that question affect our behavior?

"Thank you" -- courtesy or gratitude?

I tack the words "Thank you" at the end of request letters and babble them into the receiver after the information operator gives me a correct telephone number. I taught my toddlers to utter them as I pressed a cookie into their tiny palms. Courtesy is commendable, but I wonder if this is all Jesus had in mind as he rebuked the nine lepers for failing to give thanks. I think the tenth leper returned to Jesus with a heart so full of gratitude that he wanted nothing more than to adore the one who made him whole. Gratitude is like that. It responds while courtesy only acknowledges. Many times I've bowed my head before meals while harboring discontentment over unfulfilled desires. But I remember one mealtime when I stuffed spoonfuls of Gerber oatmeal and bananas into the mouth of one of my offspring shortly after reading about the starving millions on another continent. I imagined the terror of watching my child's healthy body shrink into stick-like arms and legs dangling from a protruding rib cage and swollen belly. With tears in my eyes, I cried, "Thank you, God, for this food." Courtesy often masks discontentment. Gratitude banishes it. I'm pleased to hear my little ones chirp, "Thank you! As they clutch my gift from the cookie jar. I know they've remembered to be courteous. But I'm more pleased when they come through the kitchen with a half chewed cookie and exclaim, "Mom, you make the bestest cookies!" Their gratitude has exploded in applause! I believe God appreciates my courteous acknowledgment of his provisions, also. But I'm sure He delights most when my gratitude bubbles into celebration of His greatness. Courtesy is worded with formality. Gratitude echoes in praise.