Appreciation: Expressing thanks, praise or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts. Gratefully acknowledging what someone “does” or attempts to do. (Colossians 3:15 b, 1 Corinthians 11:2)
“Thank you”. Two words loaded with deep meaning when aimed toward another person. Do you say these two powerful words to your spouse, often?
We can forget to show appreciation when life is running 100 miles an hour. Kids, jobs, schedules, activities. but someone is accomplishing the everyday tasks that holds it all together. Do you notice? Does your spouse?
Those simple two words can be magical for your marriage!
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Appreciation
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus.
Psalm 100:4, Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
We may also forget to enter into prayer with those two words, (thank you) also.
We may come into prayer burdened and heavy. God definitely wants us to tell Him about all of it, but what if we started out by rehearsing before God all we appreciate about Him? In doing so, we may experience another benefit. Thanking God for His love, work, miracles and help may make that burden you are going to tell Him about later just a bit lighter, as you gain perspective on what God is doing and Who He really is..
By entering into prayer with a heart of appreciation it helps us to recall more of the blessings God has bestowed to us. We can get so focused on our needs that His blessings are blurred.
The next time you enter His gates, will you enter with praise and thankfulness first? Just as God lavishes us with His love (1 John 3:1) will you take a moment and lavish Him with your appreciation! Experiencing time with God in this way brings joy!
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a lamp and a light, so walk in the light of frequent experiences of doing His Word. Psalm 119: 105
Let’s do:
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Do you treasure your spouse, or do you find that your heart feels hurt or bitterness towards him/her?
Have you ever seen the movie “Fireproof”? If not, may I challenge you to watch it? You might want to watch it again even if you have already viewed it. The movie is a great demonstration of how, through choosing to act differently (more appreciative and kind), you can change your marriage.
If you truly desire for your spouse to feel treasured, may I suggest a heart change? Begin by asking God to give you a heart of appreciation towards your spouse and to relate to her/him your words of praise and thankfulness.
“Honey, I may forget to tell you, but I appreciate all that you do for our family.” (Then practice relating your appreciation more often and stating specific things they do. Say it in different ways and show it too!)
In time you will find that those two words, “thank you,” will roll off your tongue frequently and become a normal part of your marriage.
Your heart will be full of appreciation, and your spouse will certainly feel treasured!
Light Source #3: God’s people are sources of light so walk in real fellowship with our spouse “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
We are beginning a new month, November! With Thanksgiving coming what better time to practice appreciation towards your spouse than this month!
Would you try, without your wife’s/husband’s knowledge of it, to say “thank you” each day for at least one thing your spouse does or attempts to do for you personally or the family. Try it for the remaining 28 days of November? You can do this verbally, with a card, with a small gift, in front of others, privately….be creative and mix it up through the month and see what happens to your beautiful wife/handsome husband by months end!