November 27. Toast Or Boast.

There is always more than what meets the eye. Leaders know this. Family leaders often have spouses, children, and distant family members. Entrepreneurs have managers and departmental workers behind the scenes. There are also those external resources that contribute to what we do.

So, who gets the credit? The fact is, we all want to be affirmed and acknowledged and it is the leader’s mindset that shows the way that it will be done in your organization. How are you recognizing your team's contributions? You can do it privately, or internally among your team.

You can do it publicly as well. Three things all people psychologically want is money, affirmation, and appreciation. Two of the three do not drain a company or a family of cash. That allows financial resources to be used in other more purposeful ways.

Where can you shift and make an attitude adjustment to share either of the AA’s this week? We do not have to celebrate Thanksgiving only on the fourth Thursday in November. We can do it every day. Consider doing a quick audit of the last ninety days.

What were the three things that you told someone that made a difference to their mindset? Can you come up with three or not? If you cannot, why might that be? I will grant that there are many people that have made giving appreciation to others a habit. Those people might be the exception to a rule.

If we have not been taught to make it a habit, then it is likely that it has not become one yet. But the most important word in that last sentence is yet. What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Celebrating is an important part of our faith. We are not called to be sorrowful and mournful about all that we have lost or given up. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is something to celebrate. But celebrating can move to boasting and there can be a fine line between the two.

We read, "Israel boasts, “I am rich! I’ve made a fortune all by myself! N

o one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless! "" Hosea 12:8 NLT. This reading might teach us the difference between that fine line of toasting or boasting.

Maybe boasting is about ourselves and celebrating is about our team. Could a focus on celebrating be that simple? Then why is it that we do not see more of it? Where can we join in celebrating with others? It might be that celebrating comes from the heart first and we are using our heads instead.

I am curious if we can start our appreciation of others in our hearts. If we can do that, we have a great starting point. Who do you appreciate making a difference in your faith journey? Who do you appreciate for serving in your local community or church?

Which writer in the Bible has made the largest difference in your life? If you have answered any of the questions with a name, then you have an opportunity to show appreciation in some way. You might share it with them directly.

You can also share appreciation of peoples work of the past with those of the present. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we want to celebrate with you. We can only imagine how the heavens celebrate with us. May you bring heaven to earth when we find ways to celebrate with each other. Especially help us to find a way to celebrate your love with the lost. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,