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)
Do you love well? Do those you love know you love them? There is a difference between loving someone (your spouse in particular) and loving your spouse really well. We would admit that we love our spouse, but the question remains. Do they know we love them and are they feeling well-loved? Maybe we need some deliberate steps of action to help us love better this spouse who is a gift of God.
I wonder if the path to a broken or unfulfilling relationship happens as a slow fade. What I mean is, over time we too often begin to take our spouse for granted, neglecting to love well.
This week our focus is appreciating our spouse. Let’s look at ways we can appreciate our spouse well! As in most of these 52 Week Plan installments, what we suggest won’t be costly in dollars but it may require some concerted effort and a little of your time.
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Support
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus.
Luke 6: 20-22
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
These promises of reward and blessing are ours, friends! Our Heavenly Father promises to appreciate (reward) us, as if granting us eternal life wasn’t reward enough already!
When Jesus was here on the earth almost 2000 years ago, He showed appreciation and praised some of the people he met. The Roman soldier who had faith for Jesus to heal his servant received praise from Jesus and was commended for his faith. A woman whose daughter was suffering from demon possession found Jesus and begged him to heal her daughter. He granted her request, but not before she demonstrated more faith having to get through some obstacles to gain an audience with Jesus. Jesus appreciated their faith and their effort. I wonder if Jesus appreciates only those He encountered in the 1st Century.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever……after all.
Don’t you think He appreciates your life, your effort, your work, and your love for your spouse? Your spouse is one Jesus came to die for and forgive. You get to love your spouse with Jesus alongside. I believe He is thankful to have you on the team.
As we enter this new year, it would be a great time to set some personal goals for yourself and your family. Would you sit with pen and paper and ask your Heavenly Father, God, how you may show more appreciation to your spouse/kids/family/neighbors/co-workers/friends etc…? Ask Him to bring specific people to mind and ask Him to help you to love well, purposefully, in 2018. Would you also tell Heavenly Father just how much you appreciate Him thanking Him for what He does and has done?
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:1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
Think about how God loves and the kind of love God shows you. How have you experienced His love? What does scripture tell you about His love? (looking for something to study in God’s Word? This would be a great topic to study in 2018…”How does God love?”)
One way to show love to your spouse is to show appreciation. I am not talking about showing appreciation for big projects or extraordinary accomplishments only. It is certainly fine to give praise for those things, but what about showing appreciation for the everyday things. These everyday things are the very things that many times go unnoticed, or we begin to take for granted. You know, things such as cooking, yard work, chores, errands, laundry, work etc…. To love your spouse well…purposefully start “noticing” and “appreciating” the everyday things he/she does. How would this be a relationship-changer and love-builder if you spoke words of appreciation saying things like, “Honey, thank you for going to work everyday.”, “Sweetie, thank you for always making sure our family has clean clothes to wear.” , “Babe, you make the most delicious meals, thank you for planning and preparing them for us.”, “I really appreciate how beautiful our yard looks. You do an amazing job making our lawn look beautiful. Thank you!”
What effect would this have upon your spouse’s heart if sharing appreciation became a regular habit? Hmmm…pretty amazing, right!? By the way, what do you feel when no one tells you that they appreciate what you do? You feel _______________. Right? For the answer unscramble these letters:
(u ,n, a, p, p, r, e, c, i, a, t, e, d) For those who don’t think I scrambled the letters, don’t look now but I changed places with the 4th and 5th letters.
Purposefully love your spouse as God purposefully loves you!
Light Source #3: God’s people are sources of light so walk in real fellowship with your Spouse: “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
What a fun date night idea it would be to share the book above!!! If you make an appreciation book (link above), set up a romantic dinner at home (send kids to grandparents house!!;) let your spouse unwrap his / her book and then read it! I bet your spouse would feel filled up with appreciation and love!
Another idea: Over the breakfast table, on your way out the door…whenever, how about just looking your spouse in the eyes and telling something you appreciate about him/her, then seal it with a kiss! Bet their day will be made!!!