We all need cheerleaders in our life to encourage us, celebrate our accomplishments, and inspire us to keep our focus on the finish line, on winning the race.
My dad was my first cheerleader, always there to watch whatever I was doing: diving, sledding, ice skating, performing in a play at school, listening to me play show tunes on the piano, always making me feel special and important.
As I moved away, he continued to cheer me on from afar. I will never forget flying to another city for a Toastmasters competition. As soon as I arrived at the hotel, someone came up to me and said, “You have a big bouquet of flowers waiting for you at the front desk.” The card said, “To the winner. Love, Dad.” Another time I had just started a new job and went out of town for training. My dad sent me a twenty-dollar bill and a note that said, “Go buy yourself a steak. I’m sure you’re the best in your class.” Numerous times in my life he sent me a twenty-dollar bill with an encouraging note. He filled me with so much positivity, it was only natural that I wanted to play it forward in my life.
Many years ago I read the book, The One Minute Manager, and the sentence that made an impactful impression on me was to catch someone doing something right. Whenever I feel someone’s smile coming across on the phone, I compliment the person. It is such a simple gesture that makes a positive difference in someone’s day.
I’ve always given my prayer partner positive feedback and encouragement. One time we were working out together and he said, “You are my oxygen.” He explained what a positive effect my words had on him and it inspired me to write, “Oxygen,” a message in my book Born to Surrender. People are starved for compliments. Pointing out the positives in a person or situation recharges us both, making us believe we can accomplish anything. We only must listen to be able to find something positive to say that will lift someone’s spirit, cheer someone on. “Wow, you really did a great job! I admire you for trying. I’m proud of you. What a great idea, how can you make that happen? You really know how to persevere; way to go!” Just as a plant needs nutrients, sunshine, water and oxygen, our spirits need to be uplifted so that we can thrive and flourish. Uplifting someone’s spirit is like giving them the precious gift of oxygen. A gentleman in our Bible study class told the minister, “God wanted me to give this to you,” and he handed him a note that said, “Keep on doing what you are doing.” That encouragement meant so much to the minister who had contemplated taking a break from delivering his messages. Another listener in Texas told him, “You are the pastor I’ve been waiting for.” It doesn’t matter how far away you are, oxygen words of encouragement can be sent across the miles. In preparing to deliver a message with my minister about being a cheerleader, I reached out to a couple of people I have been a cheerleader to to get their definition of what it is. I wrote a testimony for one lady who shared with me, “Working on and having the testimony is great, but it’s all the texts and words of encouragement that I’ve loved the most. When feeling down, you just moved us ahead focusing on the positive, what God can do.” Another person said, “You are so supportive, even in the small victories or the effort. You have praised me for even dreaming of something bigger or aspiring toward something better. It means a lot to someone who either hasn’t taken the first steps or hasn’t had the ability to. It validates them. Also the encouragement along the way, and especially taking the time to check-in and cheer someone along, whether it is a text, card, or call. A cheerleader is unconditional and celebrates what is in your heart and gives
you extra fuel to take those first steps. Many times I have gotten off of the phone with you and felt encouraged and validated, even though I had been stuck in bed for weeks and had felt feelings of shame and low worth. And when I have made progress, it was the same encouragement, always unconditional. That is what a cheerleader is to me. Like a friendly vessel for the Holy Spirit to encourage you!” God is our cheerleader, encouraging us with his Holy Spirit and words in the Bible, but He also counts on us to be His feet on the ground. Being a cheerleader is a ministry, speaking and acting from the heart to encourage others. It is also an act of obedience, listening for God’s direction who to reach out to, and when. He knows when a person is discouraged or ready to give up. I encourage you to be someone’s cheerleader, the oxygen they need to uplift their spirit. There is nothing more rewarding than being used by God, for His glory, to uplift another person. “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” - Proverbs 12:25
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