Appreciation

Everyone wants to be loved, and everybody wants to be appreciated. The labors of this life are always lightened when there is somebody who understands.  There are those with outstanding qualities who have toiled for years without a single appreciative word. The word “appreciation” means “sensitive awareness; an expression of admiration, approval or gratitude.“ There are people who come into our life that are minus and plus people. The minus people are those who leave us poorer, and the plus people are those who leave us richer. The minus people are the ones we do not like to see coming toward us for they always have bad news and are always complaining about something. The plus people are those we love to see coming our way and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say. They always see far more good than bad; there news is good and their words are kind and encouraging as they add to life and make it richer; they call out all that is best within us by the words of their appreciation. That is why when we read our Bibles we see that more times than not that Jesus always had a crowd following Him and listening to every word that came from His mouth. He saw the worshipping woman in the harlot, the disciple in the despised tax-gatherer, the rock in the unstable will of Simon. Jesus saw the beauty; the lily was more wonderful than Solomon.  The Sparrows, of little value on the market, were in His eyes fed by the catering of God. The love of woman, the wonder of the child, our Lord appreciated them all. No wonder folk came to their very best with One who could appreciate like that. It’s Christmas time and we are decorating the tree; and our kids hate to see what we will hang on that tree. There are a lot of pretty ornaments that my wife has purchased over the years but the ones I like are the ones our children made when they were young. They are far from being flawless and have many faults but my wife and I appreciate the workmanship of these ornaments because the work was done by the children we love. When you see wildflowers what do you see? When you see people who have all but destroyed their life what do you see? It’s easy to show appreciation to the roses, the snow capped mountains and the things we love. Jesus went to the hurting ones of this world and showed appreciation and they love Him for it. I know there will be those who take advantage of your kind word of appreciation but ask yourself how would I want that person or persons to treat me? Matthew 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?