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This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Nurses Appreciation Week was May 6-12 (Wed.-Tues. Weird, I know. But well deserved). EMS Appreciation Week is next week on May 17-23.

The first week in May was Small Business Appreciation Week, as well as, National Pet Week. This week is Police Week and Public Works Week.

Do you know anyone in any of these fields of work? Show them some spoiling and some love.

Know anyone in a career outside of these weeks? Google when their career path is having an appreciation day or week and mark it in your calendar to spoil them too.

Here is an idea…instead of needing a special day, week, month, why not (and hear me out here), why not live a life of appreciation towards all around us? Crazy, I know.

I love how Psalm 107:31- 32 tells us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving kindness is everlasting.”

Appreciate life and show appreciation to every-single-person-you-meet. Psalm 107:43 tells us, “It’s time you appreciate God’s deep love (MSG).” And, 1 John 4:20 warns us that if we say we love God, but hate anyone, then we are liars (ouch).

Show some appreciation, especially to those around you who help make life easier and better, or who have been steadily rolling even during all this stuff. You never know what folks are going through.

Numerous people haven’t had the chance to stop and they are wore slap out mentally, emotionally and physically. They could use some ice cream, a thank you, a hug, a prayer text, a gift card to a local shop (which also supports a local business). If you happen to be one of these teachers, pastors, nurses, EMS, fire, police, public works workers, local business people, VDOT, etc., and feel like you are starting to break, breathe in, breathe out, and know that it is going to be OK.

It’s OK if you fall apart sometimes. Heck, tacos fall apart and we still love them.

You are loved. You are so appreciated. You are wanted. You are needed. And, again, you are appreciated. You don’t need a special day or week. You have our appreciation all the time. We’d like to thank you. So, thank you.

Stay strong and keep at it.

Holy God, without You we are nothing. Thank you for each of our hard-working people. Thank you for being our calm in storms and our strength. Through Jesus, amen. #bethegood

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail. com.