It was the week before Christmas when I got a call from a friend who was about to bestow on me a much-desired gift; rabbit manure. We were both out of town. She dropped the bag of bunny poo on our driveway, and it is now being used to fertilize the greedy little violas that have survived the mild winter.
The “black gold” that my generous friend had dropped off was likewise distributed generously to the plants in the garden, partly because it had congealed over the winter into a sticky, heavy sludge, coming off my trowel in big chunks.
The fertilizer of choice for our beloved irises and daylilies is an organic fertilizer that comes in powdered form, easy to apply in small quantities. One year a local nursery had huge bags of it on clearance, and I felt a little like Santa Claus as I bestowed it on everything with broad sweeps of my arms.
It gives us a great feeling of accomplishment when we can be generous to the plants in our care, and see the results.
Why not apply this to our treatment of people? No, not throwing manure on them, as our sinful propensity tends to lean towards. There is altogether too much nitpicking and overcritical attitudes among us already.
“Armchair quarterback” is a phrase we use to describe someone who sits back comfortably while being critical of those out there “playing the game” so to speak. We should be more like cheerleaders (although fully clothed)!
Like my bargain fertilizer and free manure, genuine praise costs us little or nothing. We could hold back and think nice things about people; I know I do. But without saying something, it’s like keeping that fertilizer in a bag under the potting table — useless. It has to be applied.
A gardening friend recently solved a water drainage problem in her yard by installing a channel with pea gravel, meandering artistically and lined with mossy rocks. It was a thing of beauty, although the backbreaking work was done for practicality. She seemed surprised by the praise she received, although she is a true inspiration to fellow gardeners. I wonder if we too often stand afar and admire others silently, and true praise and encouragement is becoming rare?
The scriptures are full of encouragement, the first and foremost being that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to die for us (John 3:16). Barnabas stands out as an example of encouragement to others. We can do likewise, if we only take the small step of putting into words the good things we see in others.
Don’t wait for a funeral to say something good about a person. Be as specific as possible, particularly to your preacher. “Good sermon” is a lot different from “I appreciated the connection/application you made with ____,” or “that motivates me to _____.”
Other everyday examples can seem small and insignificant, but can brighten somebody’s day, or week, or life. “It’s an encouragement to see you here every Sunday and Wednesday.”
“That blue shirt really lights up your eyes.”
“You always have a smile even when you are going through a tough time. That inspires me.”
“My kids think you’re cool.”
“Your marriage and lives together have made the world a better place.”
As we train our mouths to refrain from tearing down, let’s also train them to stop withholding praise. We could be actively building each other up!
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27, NASB).