Have you noticed how it so often happens that the people who are closest to us---family members, friends, neighbors---are the very ones who seem to appreciate us the least?
A classic example of this is the person who takes his/her spouse for granted---seldom giving the praise and positive feedback that is necessary for marital growth.
Another example is a person who does not recognize the accomplishment of a friend because of jealousy or pride.
There are many more examples. But, I have noticed that strangers are much more likely to praise me for an accomplishment than my friend or neighbor or even a family member (I am not talking about my wife here, but many marriages I know of do suffer from this).
I find this curious in the extreme. One would certainly think that friends and neighbors and family would rush to praise someone close to them before a perfect stranger would do so.
But, Jesus was aware of this phenomenon when he was rejected by the people in His own home town. He said in Matthew 13:57, A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Can you think of close friends or family who take you for granted? Is there a good explanation for this? Comments, please.
Call these the music, poetry, fact and fiction of a dreamer....Call this LYRICS of LOVE and LORE.
How true! An important observation in this blog post. ♥*¨)
ReplyDelete¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸*´¨(♥ I love you and appreciate you! ♥
(¸.·´ (¸.·´♥
Clint this is a sore subject with me and vowed that in future I won't be taken for granted. I will do anything to help anyone, family, friends yet none of my inlaws and my own brother couldn't be bothered to phone over Christmas or New Year......or send a card. It seems I am always the one to phone first, well I don't suffer fools gladly anymore, a new me has emerged.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne---Well, good for you. There is so much I could write on this subject from my own life. Being a Christian is not easy! I love God, but this business of loving my neighbor is hard! Thanks for your comment, Yvonne, and God bless.
ReplyDeleteNo, Clint.
ReplyDeleteI would say that nobody takes me for granted!!
Monika
Monika---You make me laugh! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Clint,
ReplyDeleteI have friendships that have developed in the course of the years. Since I am a positive person, I praise my children, my husband and of course my freinds.
But colleagues are concerned with it. But I will say my opinion, if I find something stupid.
Best regards Sabine
Sabine---Good for you! Thank you, and God bless...
ReplyDeleteClint, I agree with you that this is definitely the case. I know that I myself have even done this at times, although maybe not in any extreme situations.
ReplyDeleteBecause this is often the case does not make it right though, and we should all strive to give praise where praise is due, especially when it is someone close to us!
-Greg
www.CranialCollision.com
Greg---Amen, brother.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read those words, of Jesus, I always think of Rodney Dangerfield saying, "I get no respect!" HaHa. Good thing I am made in his image... he must think that funny too. But yes, I have a mother who never once gave me praise or appreciation. I know the feeling well. How blessed we are to have a savior who came to Earth just to know us that intimately... to know what we feel, surrounded by sin.
ReplyDeleteClint, I have come to the conclusion that we are not praised by those closest to us because they know all our faults and weaknesses. It tends to take away from the accomplishments we do. We are seen as regular and ordinary humans. People who don't know us only see the good thing we have done. I think too, our closest people just fail to mention the good things and tend to mention the things we need to fix. It's a human being thing. After all is said and done it doesn't matter anyway, we will receive our praise from God and that is all we need. God bless you Clint and thanks for faithfully reading Daily Grace and leaving such encouragment behind. Dr. Bobbi
ReplyDeleteRachel and Dr Bobbi---We have all experienced these things. I cannot help but believe there is often envy and pride involved. For instance, if you won the lottery, how many friends and family members would be truly happy for you?
ReplyDeleteBut I certainly agree with you both that we should not worry about these petty things---and place our focus on HIM. God bless you both.
Clint,
ReplyDeleteMy husband use to jokingly say. You don't miss your water until your well runs dry. Sometimes it is not that we don't honor our loved ones, it is just because we are so comfortable that they will always be there for us.
God Bless you and your family this year.
I see this happen from time to time. Maybe that common idiom "Familiarity breeds contempt" rings true here. With close relationships, we more easily see each other's foibles, weaknesses, and sins.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's obvious that the scripture tells us to react otherwise. "Submit to one another in the fear of God" is very appropriate, no matter how close or distant our peers.
I think if people-- starting with Christians first, of course-- would apply the very basic command to "love one another as I [Jesus] have loved you" we wouldn't have any of these problems! The kingdom of heaven is at hand! We all need to be taking these commands seriously.
Good post, Clint. :) God bless.
Thanks, Rebecca. I agree with everything you say. Blessings, my friend.
ReplyDelete