Ever send flowers to yourself? Or take yourself out to dinner? Or buy yourself a present? Well, this is the week to do it! Maybe you've had a hard week, and need to know somebody somewhere appreciates you--well Somebody somewhere does, and He's at the Well waiting to tell you!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Family appreciation...Now if your family appreciates everything you say and everything you do, every day of every year, skip this paragraph! Oh, you're still reading, I see--and I'm not alone! Moms need it the worst--I know, 'cause I are one...grin...Our job descriptions include daily tasks of domestic engineer, family planner, laundry expert, cuisine extraordinaire, taxi-driver, mess cleaner-upper, peacemaker, pizza maker--and _____ (fill in your OWN blank), and...uh...by the way, do you have a REAL job too?? (Don't you love it, homemakers, when people ask you a silly question like that?)
Now I'm aware I haven't mentioned the single parent, the brothers and sisters, the in-laws, the pets, and all other family members, but you get the point--at some point, we ALL need a bit of appreciation, and at some point, we don't always get it! Granted, our families do love and appreciate us; sometimes they just forget to tell us! (And let's face it; sometimes, we forget to tell THEM too!!) But I know SOMEONE Who waits on a daily basis to do so--and it's our Lord. He loves and appreciates us for whatever our family role--spouse, parent, child, single--we are special to Him, and He would tell us so every day of the year--if we'll take time to listen! Read His Word today; talk to Him, and feel special! He loves you; He appreciates you far more than you--or your family--will ever know!
Friend appreciation...Now if a friend is a real friend, he or she DOES appreciate you and lets you know you are special. You eat and meet together; you talk and listen together; you love and laugh together. That kind of friend is a treasure. But there's all kinds of friends--some whose casual, superficial, or even close friendship can betray, forsake, neglect, and bring heartache. That kind of friend is a sad commentary on the friendship Jesus would have His followers know. And if you're enduring that kind of "mean friendship," you'd better evaluate its worth again. Life is too hard to tolerate unkindness and rudeness in a circle of supposed friendship.
A friend builds up, encourages, uplifts, loves and bears life with us. And vice versa. If you want that kind of friendship, then you must be that kind of friend. And if you want REAL friendship that never fails, your Lord is waiting for a quiet time to tell you that HE, your dearest Friend, appreciates and loves you far more than you--or your friends-- will ever know!
Foe appreciation... Now this one is a bit strange--foes don't appreciate you, for sure--or do they? Have you known an unbeliever who does not agree with your faith, may even tease you about it, but underneath the light banter, there's a certain respect--a certain admiration--and when there's a prayer need, that person will be by for special prayer from you! They don't tell you, but they DO appreciate you.
Now I know a foe--and so do you--whose goal is to unappreciate everything you say and do--to devalue you and your work, to lower your self-esteem to zero. His evil presence is not new to our world. He's been around a long time, and if he would dare to target Jesus, our Lord, we know he will have arrows ready for us. The arrows? "Nobody loves you; nobody appreciates you; you ARE a nobody! Your family, your friends, your church, are all "using you," - - why not hang it all up!"
Heard that before? The enemy's chief weapon is discouragement--he uses it successfully every day. But don't let him get YOU this week--for you ARE appreciated, by the Lord Himself, the King of Kings, Who has chosen you to be His child. HE appreciates and loves you far more that you--or your foes--will ever know!
Unappreciated by your family? your friends? even your foes? Feeling very un-special today? Then talk to the Lord; in His presence, let Him tell you just how very special you are--so special that He died for you. He cares about you, whether you are a spouse, parent, child, senior citizen, in-law or out-law! His lovingkindness would reach to you today in your low self-esteem, your sadness and loneliness--the appreciation HE gives is genuine, worthwhile, and valid. He's been where you are--he's experienced unappreciation from all sides--and He understands. Let Him be the "lifter up of your head" this day!
And then--take yourself out to dinner, buy yourself a gift--or just some chocolate almond ice cream! Then smile all the way home, knowing that Someone somewhere appreciates you--just the way you are!! You ARE special. Happy Appreciation Day to you, my friend--whoever you are!! Remember, HE appreciates you--and THAT'S awesome!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world....having prededestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself,...to the praise of the glory of his grace, through which he hath made us accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6 KJV."
"Lord, sometimes I feel quite unappreciated--and this is one of those days. Help me to feel You truly understand; You truly want to uplift me into a holy place of holy appreciation, where Your love and presence supercedes all earthly loves and relationships, a place where I will know and feel Your acceptance and my worth. I need that desperately today, and I receive it from YOU, the One whose approval I highly treasure. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
