949) Deep in my quote book, where I have written many tidbits I find important or wise, there is a sentence that says that hatred isn’t as hard to deal with as apathy. Why did I find this sentence worth recording in my book? Because until that time, I thought that being hated is the most horrible thing, but now I realize that apathy is worse. When someone hates you, the natural thing for you to do is to get angry with them, set the record straight, or at least give your side of the story. When someone is apathetic, they don’t seem to care or even acknowledge the difficulty of your situation. We all want to be acknowledged.

The Apostle Peter has learned the importance of acknowledgment the hard way. He failed to admit three times that he was a follower of Jesus. Now, in Acts 3:12-16, Peter tells the crowd at the temple that Jesus’ power healed the lame man and not his. Peter gives credit to the one who deserves it.

Each time we yearn for acknowledgment, may it be a time that we learn to stop and recognize all the things God has done for us. Why? Because this acknowledgment is an admission that we are dependent on God for all we need in this life.