Appreciation is a Gift that Keeps on Giving

No matter who you are, no matter what you do, everyone longs to be appreciated. Servant hearts want to know they are making a difference. There are servants all around us: the military, community service and emergency workers, homeschool parents, public school teachers, Sunday school teachers, fine arts teachers, coaches, babysitters, ministers, helpful neighbors, volunteers, the list goes on and on.

These are the people that touch our lives day in and day out. These are the silent heroes and servant hearts that we take for granted each and every day as we go about our busy lives, wrapped up in our own little world.

They don’t serve for praise, but they certainly deserve it and our utmost respect. They sacrifice, unselfishly giving of themselves. We may not always agree with the way they do their job, but if we aren’t walking in their shoes or stepping up to do what they do then we have no right to complain. They don’t need us to criticize their efforts, and they don’t need our “better ideas”. They do need a “thank you”, a pat on the back, an encouraging word, and a prayer. They could even use a gift of service and sacrifice given back to them as well.

Appreciation is a gift that keeps on giving. Gratitude expressed helps servants continue to bless others and persevere.

Pray for all of the servants in your life. Show your appreciation for all they do with some of these ideas, and please comment to share some of your own ideas as well.

1. Thank you notes.
2. Baked goods.
3. Gift cards.
4. A day off while we step into their role for the day.
5. Their favorite candy.
6. Flowers.
7. Dinner-Make a homemade dinner or take them out to a nice restaurant.
8. Spa day or gift certificate to a spa.
9. A Hug.
10. Offer to take care of their household responsibilities while they are out serving the community.
11. A cup of cold water.
12. A public acknowledgement (I know servants are humble and usually not looking for this type of praise, but when the whole world is down on them it helps to know we are standing with them.)
13. Personalized “Thanks for helping me grow” plant.
14. Donate to their cause in their name.
15. Devotionals to encourage them each day.
16. Pray with them and for them.
17. Gift them with what they need to make their job easier. (For instance, teachers can always use classroom supplies.) Tumblers for policemen and firefighters. Charts and helps for busy moms and some here too.
18. Sporting event tickets.
19. Personalized gifts just for them (sometimes we have to make sure servants use the gifts we give them instead of sacrificing their needs or wants for others)
20. Gift baskets filled with their favorite books, movies, food
21. Artwork from your sweet children.
22. Pictures of those who appreciate them.
23. Videos of people expressing gratitude to them.
24. A surprise visit with them.
25. A trip or getaway weekend.

Some of these ideas may not fit in your individual budget, but you can always go in with others in order to pull off something BIG!

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16