Appreciation Expressing thanks, praise or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts. Gratefully acknowledging what someone “does.” (Colossians 3:15 b; 1 Corinthians 11:2)
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord ,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Note: Each child is a fruit of someone’s womb. Many, too many, do not have loving, godly adults to help them feel special – you know – like a “gift from the Lord”. Maybe that is what God wants us to do for children, whether they are ours as a couple or ours as a special agent of God’s love to them. If you have no children, the Lord Jesus may bring other children into whom you can invest. We call these nephews/ nieces, neighborhood kids, etc. – “Children of Focus”.)
Why do we think passing our faith to the next generation is so hard? Truth is – we are constantly, perhaps unintentionally, passing down our faith. The difficulty may not be in passing down our faith, but in two other areas: 1. Is ours the faith our children need to emulate? 2. Will our children ultimately adopt an authentic faith in Jesus Christ?
Could it be that too many of us don’t really know how authentic “faith that expresses itself in love” operates? (Galatians 5:6 b) Is ours the kind of faith our kids will embrace for themselves and their families?
Would you join me this week examining how well we are representing this kind of relationship with Jesus to our *kids, grand-kids and Children of Focus? Where progress is needed in the example we are setting, could we prayerfully trust God to change us into faithful followers of Jesus who express love powerfully and clearly to our children and family? This week the focus will be on Appreciation.
More is at stake than you may know.
WALKING IN THE LIGHT IS THE KEY! Lord Jesus made it clear: “…Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you.” (John 12:35) John spoke, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7)
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Appreciation
Light Source #1: Jesus in the Light of the World (John 8:32) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Check this out: Mark 10:15-16 15″Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
We could (and probably will) use this passage many times to help us experience Jesus’ love for children and for us. How would it have felt to be scooped up into Jesus’ arms and held up as an example? We could feel respected, valued, approved, special, or even appreciated.
Please picture Jesus in the midst of several children. How do you picture him? Picking up one or more of the children, then setting them down and lifting still more children, I am guessing Jesus was having a ball. Those carpentry-hardened arms of his probably weren’t taxed much as the children left the ground to be in His arms. He blessed them. I imagine He was blessed by them too. How He loves them.
How He loves you! Can you put yourself in the place of one of those children as Jesus lifts you skyward? Listen to him praising you in front of those people gathered around. He is praising you for your faith and telling others they must have the faith of a child….you, child of God. Aren’t you glad He actually appreciates your faith? Thank Him!
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a “Lamp and Light” (Psalm 119:105) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Let’s Walk in the Light of “Doing the Book”
Let’s Do: Mark 10:15-16 15″Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
Homework for Your Home:
1. Would you find a way to brag on each of your children this week? Even if they are not around, it would be great to tell someone how much you appreciate your children and be specific about what you appreciate? When you have some things clearly in mind for which to praise your Child of Focus, and have praised them to others whether or not your child is there, then I want you to, right in front of your child, look him/her in the eye and say, “Thank you for __________________” (the items you came up with).
(“Thank you for taking out the trash, for picking up your toys, for obeying your Mom/Dad today, for listening so well, for speaking on the phone to your grandparents, for helping me bring groceries in, for mowing the lawn,)
2. Not only praise your Child of Focus, but reward him/her with a special time together or a “date” with your daughter or a “Men’s Night Out” with your son. Do what they want to do for fun – if you can afford it. Find an alternative if you cannot afford it.
My wonderful Dad died 39 years ago, and I can promise you this. The things I miss most about my Dad are not the things he could buy me. I miss seeing him, talking with him, knowing his appreciation and approval. In fact, those are things I never really got much from him but wish I had. I think you will find that time, special outings, meaningful praise, and gifts of appreciation will help you communicate to your Child of Focus the simple, beautiful love of God.
We love “because He first loved us”. (I John 4:19)
Light Source #3: Followers of Jesus are called the “Light of the World” (Matt 5:14) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Let’s Walk in the Light of Fellowship with Believers With your spouse or (if a single parent – with a trusted friend or adviser)
Appreciation illustrated between two parents or you and other people helps a child know what Appreciation is. Expressing Appreciation to your child directly helps them feel less alone because someone noticed what I did and cared enough to tell me that I did something good.
I wonder if we tell God we Appreciate the many things with which He blesses our lives. How great it would be for your children to hear you thank God, to watch you bow your head or lift your voice in praise to God for His provision.
Because God is our Abba Father, I feel certain that it brings Him tons of pleasure to watch us humbly demonstrate gratitude by speaking appreciation, gifting others in appreciation, or communicating our appreciation through a listening ear, loving gaze, and a hug of “thank you”.
Perhaps that’s what Jesus was doing when He lifted those kids in His strong arms. Maybe He was communicating to each child, “I love you and appreciate the special creation you are.” After all, He made us and is quite excited, I am sure, when He gets to communicate His love with His creation.
One More Homework Item….not necessarily for Home: 1. Ok. You have your assignment for the week. I hope you and your spouse or another caring adult can get together and talk about how appreciation was shown in your home growing up. If it was not communicated well or at all, perhaps you and your spouse / friend can comfort “one another.” 2. Big Question – How do you make your child/Child of Focus actually feel that he/she is a gift and you know it? How do you help him/her to know it?
Note: Our desire is that each of us learns well how to show Appreciation to the spouse AND to the children God has given to us. I wonder what impact this would have on others in the Church family, who are watching as Appreciation is shown appropriately and powerfully in our family relationships? What do you think?