Plants are particularly important to me. Especially now, it’s March. I’m ready for spring, green grass, flowers, all the wonders of new life. My house plants are a harbinger of what is to come. Unfortunately, the Christmas cacti in my study are looking neglected. Someone told me they need very little water. During our month living in the basement, I forgot about them, totally. I’m sure they feel unloved. This week, I gave them a good big drink, but still, they droop. Maybe with time and tender care they will recover their former lush green.
People don’t thrive either when neglected. Years of working mainly with volunteers taught me solid lessons in giving appreciation, encouragement, affirmation. Those three words represent living water for family, friends, volunteers, strangers.
Saying, “Thank you.” “Good job.” “You’re a blessing” regularly seems so simple. Too often, we forget. Children can be so open with their needs. “Look at me, Mommy!” “See what I did. I made this for you.” They say it with great expectation that they will receive appreciation, encouragement, affirmation. As human beings in today’s world it’s much too easy to find fault, to see what is lacking. Somehow, as we grow up, we absorb the belief that too much praise will ruin a person. We worry that praise might not be sincere. Much of the time, praise brings embarrassment.
Yes, judgement appears to be the focus in today’s world. Of course, there are times when we need to be challenged, but they are few and far between. We all respond better to appreciation, encouragement, affirmation than to criticism.
In our world, where we struggle to be accepted for many reasons, lack of recognition and respect can be the catalysts for becoming a bully.
In my children’s book, “Rajah Finds His Wisdom: Using Our Differences Wisely,” Rajah the elephant is rejected because he is different. He grows up to be bigger and stronger than the other elephants in the herd. He uses his size and strength to bully others. When he learns to use his differences as gifts to help others and receives appreciation, encouragement, affirmation, he discovers he really is a magnificent king.
On the back of my new business card, it says, “You can choose to make each thought and word a gift of joy for the world. We can choose to give appreciation, encouragement, affirmation. We don’t need to leave people drooping from neglect like my plants. We can choose to give living water in Jesus’ name to our troubled world.
By Rev. Janet Stobie, Today’s Faith
