Have you ever received something that was so special when it was new that you could hardly stop looking at it? Maybe it was your first new car, a diploma you had worked years to earn, a beautiful ring, a new Bible, or something you had saved for and dreamed about for a long time. Or maybe it was something far more precious—like looking into the face of your newborn son or daughter for the first time. Do you remember how you felt? You smiled. You appreciated it. You handled it carefully. You knew its value, and because you knew its value, you treated it as precious. But something happens over time if we're not careful. What was once new becomes familiar. What once thrilled us becomes normal. What we once thanked God for can slowly become something we simply expect to be there. Familiarity can quietly begin to steal our appreciation. This doesn't just happen with possessions. It can happen with our health, our home, our church, our friendships, our family, our marriage, and even our relationship with God.
The Bible warns us not to forget the blessings of God. Psalm 103:2 NIV says, “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Why would God tell us not to forget? Because He knows how easily we can become accustomed to His goodness. Yesterday's answered prayer can become today's expectation. Something we once desperately prayed for can eventually become something we barely notice. I've learned this lesson in my own marriage. Speaking from a husband's perspective, it would be very easy for me to take my wife, Renee, for granted. She is incredibly sweet and kind to me and has been a tremendous blessing in my life. But I remember a moment years ago, probably about 15 years into our marriage, when she said something that got my attention. She told me I was treating her more like a roommate than my wife. Ouch! She didn't give me a long speech or go on and on about it. That's pretty much all she said, but it was enough.
At first, it bothered me. At that point in my maturity, I probably felt a little defensive. My plate was full. I had work responsibilities, ministry, marriage, children, bills, projects, and all the normal things that come with raising a family and trying to succeed in life. In my mind, I was working hard for all of us! But instead of dismissing what Renee said, I took it to the Lord. As I prayed about it, the Lord helped me see something I didn't particularly want to see. Renee was right. I loved her deeply, but familiarity had crept in. I wasn't treating her poorly, but I wasn't cherishing her the way I once had. Somewhere along the way, I had become accustomed to the blessing. I began deliberately thinking about Renee differently. I thought about how much I loved her, what an amazing woman she was, everything she did for our family, and all the ways she blessed my life. Most importantly, I began thanking God for her again.
And something wonderful happened. As appreciation increased in my heart, it began showing up in my actions. I became more tender toward her, more thoughtful, and more affectionate. I began treating her again like the precious gift from God that she was and still is. Almost immediately, I noticed something else. Renee responded to that love with even greater tenderness and love toward me. We never sat down and had some big discussion about what I was doing. There wasn't a marriage conference or a ten-step plan. It was simply heart and action. God tells husbands something powerful about their wives. Proverbs 5:18–19 NLT says, “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.” I love those words: “always be captivated by her love.” God doesn't tell us to cherish our spouse only when the relationship is new. He doesn't say to rejoice in your wife only during the honeymoon. He says, “May you always be captivated by her love.” That takes intentional appreciation.
The same principle applies to every blessing God has placed in our lives. We have to periodically stop and remember the value of what we've been given, and nowhere is that more important than in our relationship with God. Think about when you first truly understood what Jesus had done for you. Your sins forgiven! Eternal life! God's love and mercy extended toward you! What an indescribable gift! Yet even something as magnificent as salvation can become familiar if we stop thinking about what it cost and what it means. That's why gratitude is so powerful. Gratitude restores value in our thinking. It causes us to look again at something familiar and remember, This is a blessing from God! James 1:17 NIV says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”
Today, pause for a few minutes and think about the blessings you've grown accustomed to. Think about your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your home, your church, and your health. Think about answered prayers you've almost forgotten were once prayers. And above all, think about Jesus and the gift of salvation. Don't let familiarity steal the joy from something God intended to be a blessing. Look again. Appreciate again. Cherish again. And thank God again.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NIV
Father, help me never become so familiar with Your blessings that I stop appreciating them. Open my eyes to the people and blessings You've placed in my life. Help me to cherish them, express my appreciation, and continually thank You for every good gift You've given me. Most of all, never let me lose the wonder and gratitude of knowing Jesus and what He has done for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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