Have you ever been at a checkout counter with
a zombie-faced, overwhelmed looking cashier?
When she weakly greeted, “How are you today?” did you look into her eyes
and sincerely ask how she was managing?
As a job coach, I have been blessed to see
many behind the scenes situations from an employee’s point of view. It takes a
certain optimistic stamina to work hard and fast enough for a company’s
expectations, while reacting kindly to distracted, demanding or demeaning (hurtful)
customers. Often, the people who serve
us royally in stores and restaurants are not thanked or respected. Sometimes
they are not even acknowledged as human beings! Why should the smile or questions from a
waitress interrupt a texting tirade? The
most respectful customers I have noticed are those who have suffered similar
experiences, or realize the importance of kindness as a Christian virtue. The
old saying of “walk a mile in my shoes” to produce empathy, has encouraged me
to be an encourager.
I was
energized by encouragement today. Not
only did people read yesterday’s blog post, but some left complimentary
comments! I did not expect, but was
thrilled to see: “I loved it…enjoyable…thank you for sharing.” Wow. How motivating is that? Now either these commenters are very close
personal friends who I bribe on occasion, the Lord reached down and zapped
readers with inspired words, or maybe reality lies somewhere in-between. Whatever
the reason, the encouraging words motivated me to do more writing. This must be
like the self-fulfilling prophecies that parenting experts warn us about. If we often call our children lazy or
forgetful, they tend to behave in ways that reinforce those labels. Conversely, if we consistently praise and
admire their attempts at athletics or creativity, (even if they are not
initially gifted) they will enjoy the practice that leads to their success.
Wise teachers use this “catch more flies with honey, than vinegar” methodology.
I
have been privileged to see this happen to special needs young adults who learned
complicated tasks through demonstration, experience and confidence-building via
repeated praise.
The inspired Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other
up, just as in fact you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11) The Holy
Designer who knows us inside and out understands exactly what our bodies and
minds need. God created us to crave assurance. " For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. " (Romans 15:4)
Of course this ultimate hope is referring to our heavenly destination, provided
through Jesus. Because we have
been given that guarantee, we are able to encourage others with conviction.
So
what difference would encouragement make to a big box store cashier, a grocery
store bagger, a fast food employee, a stranger at your church or your spouse? Are
you curious to find out? Even though I
am not fond of resolutions (especially at the start of a new year—it’s as if
they are meant to be broken), let me propose an experiment. Let’s smile, make
eye contact and say something to lighten a person’s load. Share a silly joke, or a sincere
compliment. Give someone an inspiring
quote, Scripture verse or verbal thumbs up.
What can be done tomorrow and the day after and next week, to offer support
and show approval? What cheers people up
more than emoticons?
My
prayer tonight is to ask the LORD to motivate me to encourage others. May I encourage you to do the same?
-600 words-
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