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Appreciation

This week, my husband and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. We were friends for a year and became best friends before our seven month courtship. It's hard to remember my life before we were together and the happiness we now share.


We love each other deeply, but I think the biggest contributor to our happy home is that we appreciate one another. He makes it easy for me because he is a rare unicorn. My husband cooks, cleans, and leads our family spiritually. I may not deserve how great he is, but our marriage is a testament that God answers prayer!


As wonderful as Rob is, he is not perfect. Despite all of his exceptional qualities (and yes, there are a lot), he can not possibly meet all of my needs. Only God is capable of such a feat. With any relationship comes an invitation to focus on the good, and another invitation to focus on the shortcomings.


Perhaps that is why my pastor promotes Philippians 4:8 as the most important scripture to memorize, "And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (NLT)


Some behaviors require that we love people from afar. Excluding those we love while maintaining boundaries that protect against abuse, ought we not focus on the good in those around us? Isn't it strange that we can love someone but not appreciate them?


What about you? Do you appreciate your spouse? Or your teen? What about your parents? Or siblings? How do you feel about fellow believers or people in leadership?


Pastor appreciation day is five months away. Have you ever thought of doing something to recognize your church's leaders for their sacrifice? Are you more likely to bypass an opportunity to show gratitude for the invitation to focus on what is lacking?


Hebrews 13:7 reads, "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith." (NLT)


Are there people in your life you feel do not show you adequate appreciation? Why might that be?


I want the appreciation I give and receive in my marriage to spill over into every area of my life. It starts with taking every thought captive to Christ and choosing the invitation of life, not death. 


So much of what goes on in the mind is a result of which invitation we choose daily. Really, the choice to focus on the good vs. the bad is the decision that gives your love a chance to be filled with joy instead of resentment. 


Let's choose joy!







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