Affirmation

On a morning that I was feeling hurt over someone else's condemnation of me I got a note, a very God glorifying note that made my day.

I've been reading a book called Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree and have been struck by the message. It's about affirming in others what you see God doing in them. We live in a lost, cynical, criticizing world, and we are called to be salt and light. How can we, as Christians, be a godly example to the world if all we do is tear each other down?

I know that we have to confront sin, but there's a biblical way to do that. Sin must be dealt with, but in general, it just isn't right to nag, nit-pick and grumble about everything. Admittedly, I would like "Pollyanna theology," the idea that there is some good in everyone, but I know that's wrong and that there is "none good, no not one." (Psalm 14:3) But there are qualities in others that God has placed in their lives that we can be thankful for. So why not point that out, especially if you have benefited directly from that?

My friend wrote,

  Your heart is beautiful.  I feel like as soon as your family enters a room, there is such grace and beauty there that no one can deny that God has his hand upon you and is working through you.  The brief encounters I have had with your family is enough to give credibility to everything you write in your blog and for me to believe that I could trust your husband as a pastor.... Thank you for encouraging mothers to train up their children for the glory of the Lord.  Your daughters are the proof that it is possible.

Now who wouldn't want to get a note like that? I realize that she doesn't see in our hearts the wickedness that only God knows, but what an encouragement! Notice that she recognizes God as the One to be praised! God is to be glorified, and when we tell others how we see Him working in their lives they will be encouraged to tell someone else, and the loving cycle may continue. Then hopefully, the watching, unbelieving, hopeless world will see and ask, "what is that Hope within you?" (I Peter 3:15) And maybe we might just be at the very tip of the idea of "enjoying God and glorifying Him" forever.