This is the second article concerning the triple A’s of Relationships, Appreciation and affirmation. But, I will only approach Appreciation and save Affirmation for the next article.

"Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you." (1 Thessalonians 5:12 NCV)

In our relationships we often take the other individual for granted. Wives clean and cook and very often do not receive the recognition, the appreciation of those she works so hard for.

On Thanksgiving or Christmas, a wife and mother will work hard on that special meal. She will spend a great deal of time, even days before the holiday, baking bread and pumpkin pies. She gets up early that morning to put the turkey in the oven and prepare a very special breakfast. As the family gathers around the table they give thanks to God for His bounty, but they forget to give thanks to the wife and mother of the family for all her hard work.

Isn’t she deserving of the family’s recognition and appreciation for making the holiday meal so special.

But, its not just on these special days she deserves recognition and appreciation. She needs to be given appreciation for clean clothing, a clean home, and nourishing meals everyday.

Husbands work to bring in the pay check, care for the yard, maintenance around the home and cars, and yet rarely receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

A farmer’s wife was talking to her neighbor about their husbands. The neighbor mentioned that she was in the habit of expressing her appreciation for the things her husband does for her and the family with small rewards. The farmer’s wife turned to her husband and said, "You had better not expect anything like that from me." The farmer got up and put his coat on and started out the door and his wife demanded, "Where do you think you’re going?" And the farmer replied, "I’m going to see if your friend needs anything done."

In our marriage relationships, we must give those who work so hard for us the Appreciation they rightly deserve.

Its not just the husband and wife that need and deserve recognition and appreciation, every one with whom we have a relationship need it as well. How much effort does it take to say, Thank-you. I appreciate what you have done."?