APPRECIATION

"It’s better to appreciate things you don’t have than to have things you don’t appreciate." - Proverbs 27:2

Appreciation comes not from us, but from the lips of others. Too often we take for granted the relationships God has given us within the families that God has placed us. It is when these relationships are gone that we begin to have regrets. Many times there are things we want to say to encourage others, but we leave it until it is too late. Then we say, “I wish I had said those things when I had the opportunity.”  This happened to me when I had the chance to share about our late Diane Ottenweller. When I spoke with her later, she kindly replied; “I knew you would be too emotional to share.”  But then it was too late. Do not let this happen to you so that you end up with many regrets.

This is the time for us to take time out and write down things we appreciate about each other, whether it be about husbands and wives, parents and children, family and friends, brothers and sisters and so on.  Once you have done so, then either give it to them or say it to them. I am sure it will be well worth it and well appreciated.

This is another action that leads to appreciation in family - learning to say thank you for whatever you have been given. It is no surprise that one of the Ten Commandments says that we should not covet what others (neighbours) have. In doing so, we do not appreciate what we have and are therefore neither thankful nor enjoy what we have. This leads to competition rather than building a family.