Ok, I’ll admit it…I’m not sure how many people are reading blog posts in August. I feel like I may be throwing words out into a void. So today I’ve edited and am reposting some thoughts from years ago. You can prove me wrong if you actually read this by posting a thought in the comments!
Spiritual practices are usually kind of like workouts at the gym, right?
They’re supposed to stretch the spiritual muscles that need stretching…to practice what you hope will one day come naturally.
Like you run a mile on the treadmill so that if one day you’re being chased by a bear you won’t collapse in a heap after 15 yards.
But that can sound a little…intense, so a couple weeks ago I decided to make a little game for myself.
In our family we LOVE games, especially games with points. (In case you’re worried about my theology, I know discipleship isn’t a game and it is about grace and cooperating with God’s work in our lives. Just give this a chance! :))
I decided to see how many times I could genuinely affirm different people during the day. I chose to give myself extra credit points for specific compliments that weren’t appearance related and for words of affirmation directed at strangers.
Maggie’s response when I told her about my game? “Mom, you’re weird. Kind. But weird.”
I told her I didn’t think she was being very affirming.
I continued this practice over the week and it has been a rich discipline that has helped me notice things with gratitude…notice God’s gifts to me.
Some of the most fun moments of affirmation:
▪ Asking to speak to a customer service rep’s supervisor on the phone because she had been so helpful and I wanted to be sure she was recognized. (She was so shocked I wondered if anyone EVER says anything positive to Customer Service folks)
▪ Texting a young man with a reminder that I see God in him and he is a man of integrity in hard situations.
▪ Writing a note to a man who had been let go from his job, affirming the value he had brought to the organization
▪ Introducing myself and thanking a mentally challenged young man for the great job he was doing cleaning the health club.
Anyway, it’s been so much fun and has stretched my “gratitude muscles”
We’re bombarded with so much information that sometimes we need to just try ONE THING and see how it goes. Maybe give this one a go and see what you think!
OR suggest a different spiritual experiment! I’d love to hear your ideas!
Let me know what happens!
Laura, this was a great reminder to practice this skill of admiring the good in others! I, too, called Kohls’s once to let a manager know how helpful a clerk was while shopping. And I’ve called the grocery store in the past during the busy Christmas season when I needed help finding an item for my grandkids and someone took the time to hunt it down. One of my favorites is reminding myself while I’m on vacation and out of my normal environment is to look around and see where God is at work “here” in the world? And to look at others, especially those that might be unappealing or at odds and remember that they, too, are a child of God. 🙂
Such good words, Suzanne! Thanks for encouraging us with those examples and for looking for the “imago dei” in EVERYONE 🙂
Haha. I enjoyed this post the last time and liked it now again and I am typing this comment on vacation in Algonquin park. So there you go. I never thought of it as a game but I do like to affirm people and tell them when I appreciate something about them. It blesses them but helps my frame of mind more. I once thanked the guy delivering books out of a truck into the library. I place holds all the time and told him that without his work my reading life would be less rich. I think he thought I was a crazy lady but he had a big surprised smile on his face! Thanks for your thoughtful posts which often arrive at just the right time. Your faithfulness in posting partners in divine timing and is a great blessing. Joanne
Oh thanks Joanne! And I love your example! There are so many people we don’t think of, right? I’m sure it made your book delivery guy’s day!
Blessing on your day, my friend!
You too! May the light of Jesus shine brightly through you as you go about your job today!
I read every one of your blogs, even in August😊
🙂 ohhh thanks Laura!
I honestly do try to stretch my gratitude muscles on a regular basis. Thank you for the reminder though!
That’s great! Last night in my small group we read this quote from C.S.Lewis:
“Gratitude exclaims, very properly, ‘How good of God to give me this!'”
I LOVE your blogs, I look forward to reading them everyday ❤️
How do I find your blog?
Melanee’s blog
Your blog is very inspirational, I look forward to reading each one ❤️
Thank you so much, Melanee!