Appreciation

1 Corinthians 16:18 "You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well."

One of the most important things that I think is disappearing from our world is deep appreciation for others. I believe appreciation and respect are very closely related. I believe a lack of respect comes from a lack of appreciation for others.

The parents that show appreciation to teachers and coaches are usually the ones that have kids that respect their teachers and coaches. The parents that don't show appreciation are usually the ones that have kids disrespecting teachers, coaches and other authority figures.

In the real world, when employees feel appreciated they have more respect for their bosses. In the volunteer world, if volunteers feel appreciated for their efforts they will respect their commitment to serve.

Definition of Appreciation: the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.

Definition of Respect: a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

As a teacher I constantly hear students who don't want to respect a teacher until the teacher respects them. There is no appreciation for the job teachers do. I've also seen teachers who can't appreciate the good qualities each student possesses.  Both students and teachers often get into a power struggle of respect. The solution is simple? Appreciation! Students and teachers both want to feel their efforts are noticed. Students begin acting out when good behavior doesn't give them attention but learn quickly bad behavior gets them noticed. Attention becomes the substitute for appreciation but attention never fills the void of wanting to be appreciated. Teachers feeling unappreciated makes for low morale and makes teachers less engaging.  We all want to know we matter and make a difference and hear it from others or be shown by others we matter. 

Throughout my life there are times I feel appreciated and other times I do not.  There are times where words or acts of kindness impacted me so much it made me better, and there are times the words don't seem sincere and a small act of kindness just seems like a bribe to ask a favor later which turns into making me bitter. Appreciation can't be hollow. It can't be used for manipulation and work. If that's how it is used then respect will never be gained.

So my point is look for ways to appreciate others. Start with the people who have been helpful to you. Then think about those you have a hard time respecting and find a way to thank them for something you appreciate them doing. 

STRUGGLING WITH STRUGGLE

I struggle with struggling! Ok let me try to explain this better.

My life feels like it is a boat out at sea. The waves of life crash at me and I am tossed around in the chaos. Other times life is still and I float effortlessly along. During both times though, I am aware that my boat is attached to a long, long rope that contains an anchor on the end. This anchor won't let me get lost at sea. It doesn't stop the waves from crashing and me thrashing about  but it won't let the waves take me from where I should be as long as I keep the rope attached. The anchor is God, the rope is my relationship with Him that I maintain through prayer, the Bible and worship.

So here is my struggle. Life crashes down on me with crazy schedules, unreal ecpectations, and financial strains. I know I am connected to my anchor. I pray many times a day. But there are days, I am overwhelmed with my burdens and underwhelmed by God's presence. There I said it. I struggle with my struggles! The bad part is I know this is a choice I make I know that if I connect with God with more than just my prayers, I can feel overwhelmed by His presence and underwhelmed by my burdens but there are days I choose not to do this.
Paul struggled like this. In Romans 7:15 he says " I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do." He struggled with struggles too." There are many days it's not my struggles that get me down. It is actually my guilt for allowing those struggles to interfere with my ability to be a good witness for Christ that gets me down the most.

This week, I am trying to change this behavior by focusing more on God's word, worshipping more, prayer journaling more and hopefully ministering to someone reading this that has the same struggle. I would love to pray for anyone struggling with struggle like I am. So please comment or send me a message privately and I will pray for you!