Everyone needs appreciation, appreciation is honouring, it is edifying, and it makes a person feel very special. Appreciation increases self worth and value, it also helps to bring out the best in you. When words of appreciation come from someone really special like your spouse, life becomes more interesting, it stirs up the strength and courage to move on.

Life and marriage is full of different storms and challenges and you don't always need an instructor or an adviser, there are times you just need someone to encourage you. Someone to acknowledge the good in you, someone to just tell you how good you are.

Your marriage will be fun if you take time in turn to spell out the good in each other, go further by sighting examples of how your spouse has been of help to you and contributed to the success in your life. How he/she helped you to keep going and not give up even in difficult times. T hink about this, the last time you spoke to your spouse how much of it was aff irming and acknowledging the good in him/her.

The truth is, you experience an awesome feeling of joy and strength when your spouse generously speaks well of you and means it. God the Father said, even before Jesus started His ministry "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased". He didn't just keep this feeling to Himself but said it to Jesus and the whole world, what an example.

Break the ice, start acknowledging the good in your spouse, leave nothing out, even the things that look insignificant, enjoy and honour the gifts in each other. Be willing to value your spouse not just for what he/she has done, but also for who they are - God's child.

Be quick to acknowledge and affirm the gifts in your spouse.