how to show appreciation…

we need to appreciate people’s efforts.  when was the last time you thanked your parents just for being your parents.  why the big deal about this?  because it’s so important GOD put it in the ten commandments.  HE said, “honor your father and mother.”  HE’s talking about appreciation. 

this one little principle can revolutionize your relationships.  mark twain once said, “i can go two good weeks on one compliment.”  we just don’t appreciate each other enough.  there’s nothing more important than learning to appreciate the people around you.  they’re not perfect but they need and deserve appreciation.  we need to appreciate their loyalty, their efforts, their differences.

so how do you do it?  well, there’s a right way and there’s a wrong way. the scripture gives us some good hints on how to show appreciation. 

first of all, it needs to be real.

romans 12.9 (tlb), don’t just pretend that you love others; really love them!  two important words here “pretend” and “really”.  don’t just pretend that you love other people, really love them.  when you appreciate other people it needs to not be flattery, not syrupy.  it needs to be genuine, sincere, heartfelt, no ulterior motive.  you’re not trying to get something from them.  you’re not trying to butter them up. 

somebody said one time that usually when somebody pats you on the back he wants you to cough up something.  paul says, don”t have any ulterior motives, don’t just pretend that you love others, really love them.  it needs to be real.

just a thought from the front porch…