Appreciation: Expressing thanks, praise or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts. Gratefully acknowledging what someone “does” (Colossians 3:15b, 1 Corinthians 11:2)
Appreciation/Others
When I was growing up, birthdays and “special” days were not really…. well…special. Maybe I had a card left on the table or something, but I grew up determined that others would know what they mean to me! I didn’t want those in my circle to feel they didn’t matter. Birthdays in particular are days that I want those I love to know I am thankful for them and that I am going to honor the day they were born!
When I turned 50 I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and something memorable. I wanted to appreciate others on that day. I devised a plan that I would do 50 acts of kindness to celebrate my birthday. This was the “funnest” thing I think I ever did!
I went to the mall armed with different types of gifts and began to hand them out to total strangers. Some of those gifts were little pocket mirrors with these words printed on them: “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE”. Because my God is extra special there happened to be a small group of pre-teen girls doing a scavenger hunt there. They were the perfect ones to receive my little gift!
The most precious part about handing out these little gifts were people’s expressions! My favorite was handing out bouquets of flowers to the ladies that cleaned the mall restrooms. As I handed out each bouquet I just said, “Today is my birthday and I want you to have these flowers because I appreciate what you do!” Some burst into tears, others smiled shyly wondering, “Who is this crazy lady?”
It was the best birthday gift I ever received!
Jesus – The Light of the World
(Jesus Meets Our Need For Appreciation)
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
This has got to be my all time favorite verse! The first time I read this it took my heart by surprise! God delights in ME? He rejoices over ME? What??? It dawned on me that God appreciated me; He created me just as I am and He actually “likes” me!
Friends do you know that about your Savior? Will you allow yourself the time to experience His delight over you? Will you allow Him to rejoice over you, His son/daughter? If this hits your heart hard as it did mine so many years ago, will you just let these words wash over you? Imagine in your mind’s eye what God delighting and rejoicing over you would look like! Goosebumps!!! Joyful heart! Profound peace!!
From the very beginning of time, God knew you. He delighted in you. He rejoices over you with singing!
His Word – A lamp and a Light
Let’s do: Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
May we take this same verse, but this time ask God to give you the name of a person (or some people) over whom you will delight and rejoice? What I mean is, let us show how much we truly appreciate those we know or perhaps God would send you to rejoice and celebrate perfect strangers.
Most of us like to be appreciated, though it may be difficult to receive it, but doesn’t it stir a little joy in your heart when someone takes notice of your accomplishment?
Throughout your day would you take notice of moments that open for you to “stir a little joy” in someone else? Appreciate them by your words, a hand shake or even an unexpected gift.
You And I Are “The Light of the World” – Jesus Said So.
If God says we are the light of the world, (Matthew 5:14) then maybe we can shine that light into someone’s darkness by showing appreciation.
Think about this for a moment. Some of us walk around with this dark spot within our soul because as a child we weren’t appreciated. Maybe we felt we really didn’t matter because we weren’t rejoiced or delighted over. What if we take the beautiful Light of Jesus Who lives within us and shine His light into a person’s dark spot? What do you think would happen? Maybe like the ladies at the mall, they might burst into tears or smile shyly. No matter the reaction on the outside, is it possible they now have a little of His Light glowing inside?
A small word of appreciation can really go a long way in someone’s life. You never know that what takes a moment for you will last a lifetime in someone’s heart.