IN PRAISE OF CHEERLEADERS AND DROP-GIVERS

Years ago, I was associated with a firm which gave “Drops for Your Bucket” to associates and others who had done something well or had touched their lives in an important way. They weren't formal, but they were affirming. “I want to take a moment and thank you for doing so much around here;”or “I really enjoy the songs you select and play for our Sunday services;” or “Thanks, for your commitment to our ministries of outreach- quilts, food, clothing, visitation;” or “Thanks for taking the time to listen to me last night,” or “Your enthusiasm and joy lift my spirits!”

Drops for our Buckets of self-esteem are important because we all like to be affirmed. As people of faith, we long to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Sometimes, people tell me that I shouldn’t give so much affirmation to others, but I believe that an affirming word- sincerely meant and honestly said- can make a difference in our lives. In a world filled with “dippers,” who look for every opportunity to bring other people down, giving “drops of affirmation,” is a wonderful and worthy ministry. Being a cheerleader in a world filled with critics is an important thing. Affirming someone else’s ministry, accomplishments, joy, and special qualities can lift their hearts and open doors.

When I taught college courses in Human Relations and Motivation, I would sometimes ask students to identify the people who had made an importance difference in their lives, who were in some way responsible for the way they thought about themselves and for the dreams they were pursuing. I asked them to list those people who had left lasting imprints on their lives. I gave them time to write their lists and then we tallied their answers. “Moms” always won and dads were generally second. Good friends were always near the top. Siblings, grandparents, other relatives, an encouraging teacher, sometimes someone who just showed up in their lives, and others from the helping professions- pastors, doctors, counselors, and such. The lists differed, but the thrust was always the same- the people who had made a difference in their lives were people who affirmed them, who cheered them on, and who stood by them when they were up and when they were down!

Letting someone know that he or she is appreciated is an important thing… and that brings me to the one-page book of Phi-lee-mon, which is very much a drop for Philemon’s bucket and for Onesimus’ bucket too. Onesimus was a slave who ran away from Philemon and ended up at Paul’s side while Paul was in prison. He became a Christian during his time with Paul, but it was still fitting for him to return to the man who owned him, who was an influential Christian in Colossae. So, Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a note that read (in my words). “Dear Philemon, your love has given me great encouragement and joy, even as it has refreshed the hearts of others.” This is a drop for Philemon’s bucket in its own right, but Paul went on. “And knowing that you are a righteous man, I am sending Onesimus back as a full brother in Christ. He may have been useless to you, but he has been immensely useful to me. Indeed, I would like to have kept him with me, but I know that you will welcome him in the same manner you would welcome me. If he owes you anything, put it on my bill, and get the guest room ready for me. Luke and the others say hello.”

My point is very simple- let’s be drop givers. Let’s be affirmers for Christ. Let’s look for opportunities to cheer others on. When someone spills a drink at the table, instead of being the person who yells out, “Hey, no more drinks for that guy,” be the one who says “I know how you feel. It’s happened to me.” Over the years I’ve been a drop-giver and I should've given more. One of our saints in Rock Island had read through the entire Bible 33 times and I took the time to affirm her passion for God’s word. I also affirmed the gifts of love that two of our Deacons demonstrated again and again. In Joliet, I affirmed our Stephen Ministry leaders and our Clerk of Session for their own ministries of affirmation and faithfulness, and in the same church, I affirmed the chair of our Prayer Group for leading her group in prayer- without fanfare and often with just a few in attendance- for decades on end. 

I’ve been blessed with drops myself. People have been affirming to us throughout our ministry, but I have two “Drops” in mind that had a bigger impact on my ministry than I think the "drop givers" would’ve expected. One took place in Joliet when a old woman (we had plenty of them) finally decided that I was the “real deal,” and the other took place in Peoria when a man I respected said these words as I was leaving the church for the last time- “Thanks Kenn, you made us better Christians.” These two drops have meant the world to me because being the “real deal” and helping others “grow in Christ,” is all I ever wanted to do. Friends, let's be cheerleaders! Let's be quick to recognize someone who is touching lives for Christ. Let's affirm as many people as grace will allow. Amen!