Appreciation
Expressing thanks, praise, or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts.
I Cor. 11:2 Col. 3:15 b
Do the people with whom you work tell you that they are grateful for the work you do? Does your extended family do a good job of expressing appreciation for you? Regardless of how your coworkers, your boss, or your extended family do or don’t express appreciation, your marriage should be a relationship in which you know and show gratitude and appreciation. I know we can live without it, but it sure helps the relationships when appreciation is given and received. Don’t you think?
A Worthy Goal:
Don’t stop investing wisely into your marriage until your children and friends envy your relationship and want one like it.
Be intentional about setting aside a few minutes this week or planning a date night to discuss Appreciation together.
Husband, would you lead this time by reviewing the statements to be completed or questions being asked so that you know how to make the most of your time? When you are ready, please initiate a “LOVE (Speak)” time with your wife.
LOVE (Speak) —
- What is something your spouse has said or done recently that made you feel appreciated?
- What are some things you say/do that let your spouse know that you appreciate the work they do or effort they invest at home, work, or ministry? How does he/she react when you do show appreciation? Ever known someone who can’t receive praise? Sometimes we just need to learn to say “Thank You” and “You Are Welcome”!
- Do you think that TV, movies, and music portray an accurate view of how we should show appreciation for our spouse? Can you relate any good examples of appreciation shown from old or new TV/movies/popular culture (i.e. the Cosby Show)? How about discussing some “not so good” examples of appreciation?
- Do you feel more, or less, appreciated by your spouse since you’ve been married versus the way you felt while dating or engaged? What, if anything, has changed?
- Based on the answers to the above questions, now discuss with your spouse how you can grow in meeting his/her need for appreciation.
What About the Kids? Ask the kids these questions or discuss them as adults revealing what you have observed in your child(ren).
1. How does it make you feel when you hear someone say, “Thank you so much for what you did? or Thank you so much for trying? ….when Dad and Mom tell each other, “I appreciate you” or “I am so thankful for you”?
2. Looking into the eyes of a child and calmly saying how much you appreciate him/her is a powerful way of communicating care. You might even take that child by the shoulders, cup their face in your hands, or hold them in your arms and say, “Daddy is so thankful for your help and that you keep trying even when things aren’t easy!” (Mommy, you can do that too!)
3. In order to hear both a male and a female perspective, discuss as parents or grandparents how the children in your world seem to being appreciated. For what tasks or effort can you give appreciation? Share your observations. Learn to observe.
Learning to show appreciation may, in fact, encourage your children to keep trying and perhaps learn a healthy work ethic that will set them on a path of developing great character. How might that help them in life, in relationships, in school, in a career someday?