I believe that appreciation is a holy thing - that when we look for what's best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something sacred."
Fred Rogers
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."
Romans 12:10 (TLB)
We are accepted, included, appreciated, loved, safe and well no matter what. This is the gospel! This is the message we all need to hear so badly.
This good news is the most healing and life-transforming message in the world, for it fills our deepest need to be loved and accepted and valued. Once we find out how loved we are, we can relax, we are okay, we feel the pain start to subside. For we are not alone, we are accepted in our mess, we don't have to be perfect, we are embraced, we are special, we are safe. We are even beautiful and special in the midst of our mess. And we can start to see others that way as well and let them off the hook - they don't have to be perfect either, they are okay and beautiful even in their mess as well. For perfect behavior is not required in the presence of Perfect Love; Perfect Love doesn't even look at behavior. Noone has got it all together, but we are all special, we are all equally valuable, we are all His dear children, we are all one in Him. We are all in this journey together, walking along with Him together. We can appreciate each other, celebrate each other and encourage each other. We can value each other, see the best in each other, see God in each other, because we are all one big family of God, all beloved children of God. We're in a 'holy appreciation society' where we just appreciate each person for their uniqueness and belovedness, because of how healing is love is for us. Judging goes out the window when acceptance flows in! Everything else melts away in the presence of the One who is Perfect, Unconditional LOVE. In His loving gaze, we see the ultimate value in ourselves and every other person. And all that flows out of us and among us is love.
A Thought: Thank You, Papa! I love the way You heal our hearts with Your grace and love!