“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12.

Grandma Lettie was a gem. She sparkled in the eye of God and in my eyes. She also made good donuts, but that’s another story.

She appreciated people and people appreciated her. Her appreciation was expressed both by her words and her actions. That makes for a good example. One you can’t help but want to copy.

She loved her church and the pastors that served the flock. She prayed for them, she listened to them, she served with them, and she served them. She cared about their families. She loved them. She spoke highly of them. Grandma appreciated them.

O that every pastor had a ‘Grandma Lettie’ in his flock. Maybe one of the things she taught me could make it possible.

At bedtime, she would read devotions to her grandchildren from a great devotional book. One lesson centered on friendship and being appreciated. As Grandma finished, she said, “If you want friends, you need to act friendly. If you want others to appreciate you, you need to appreciate them.” Makes sense, doesn’t it.

Pastor Appreciation is celebrated each October. I hope you have a ‘Grandmas Lettie’ to let you now how much you are appreciated. Remember her words, “… if you want others to appreciate you, you need to appreciate them.”

Appreciation is a two-way street.