Appreciation

This week has been a busy time but it has also been a productive one at least from my perspective.  It is a blessing to see God direct your steps in such a manner that He places you where He wants you to be.  There are times that we may not appreciate that placement because our surroundings maybe challenging or the situation maybe difficult.  But at those moments we must remember that God has not forgotten our location and that He is aware of the moment by moment events of our lives.

This week has afforded Ann and I the privilege to have a dear friend in our home for a few days.  This friend recently lost his wife to a battle with an illness that she had fought for several years.  We had the privilege to serve this couple as their Pastor over ten years ago but we have been able to maintain that friendship even at a distance.  God used Bro. Bill to remind me of the principle of "appreciation."  Each of us need to be reminded of the need to recognize and appreciate those family and friends that He has placed in our lives.  Many of these family members and friends impact and influence our lives in a very positive manner.  These people invest in our lives through their acts of love, kindness, acceptance, generosity, prayer support, encouragement, etc.  The conversation that I shared with Bro. Bill raised this question in my heart; "Do I take the time to express my appreciation to those family and friends that God has placed in my life?"  This conversation reminded me that I do not want to see my friends and family pass away and realize that I did not take the time to share my appreciation and love with those important people in my life.  Bro. Bill is a person who was a great example of someone who took the time to let his wife know how much he loved her.  But he feels that God wants him to remind married couples that they need to truly appreciate their spouse but he also feels that these spouses need to go a step further.  He feels that these spouses need to visibly and publicly express that love and appreciation.  We must not wait until someone "moves" out of our lives through relocation or even death before we reflect on the important role that they play in our lives.  It is easy to focus on all of the bad or difficult people that we encounter in this life but we also need to focus on the good and thoughtful people that God sends to us.  God uses many of these people to demonstrate and release the love of God to us on a daily basis.  Take some time today and call a friend and express appreciation for their friendship.  Take some time today and speak words of love and appreciation to your spouse or children.  Not only will these individuals feel the impact of your actions but you will also feel the positive effect that true appreciation and kindness can have on you.   

I am truly a blessed man.  I have a wonderful wife, two great sons, two great daughter-in-laws, and four awesome grandchildren.  But my blessings do not stop at that point; we have two "adopted" children (Ann's brother and sister).  We are also blessed with two "adopted" grandchildren and two "adopted" great grandchildren.  We have been blessed with so many wonderful friends that there is no way to place a number on them.  Many of you can say the same things about your family and friends.  Do not take your family and friends for granted!  Tell them of your sincere love and appreciation; let them know that they have made a difference in your life.  We are better people because of those special people that God has placed in our lives.