Praise the Progress

 

The mother’s first thought, when she walked into the kitchen, was to start yelling.  The package of ham was on the table, as well as cheese slices still in the wrappers.  Mayonnaise was on the table, on the floor, and the jar had rolled onto the floor.  On the paper plate was a half-eaten sandwich with way too much meat and mayonnaise.  She grabbed a napkin to clean up the mess when she heard her son say, “I made it all by myself, Mommy.  Aren’t you proud of me?  I couldn’t get the cheese open so it’s just ham.”  Grateful that she had been slow to speak, she told him how proud she was of him and leaned down to give him a big hug.  Her paralyzed five-year-old had pulled himself up to get the items he needed to make his own sandwich.  The mom then showed her son how to unwrap the cheese slice, to make it easier for the next time, and how to wipe off the table.  She praised and focused on what he did right and taught in the process.

 

Later the mother wrote, “But I’ve been thinking about that messy, half-eaten sandwich, and how so much of our life is spent looking at other people’s messes.  We see the mess and overlook the progress.  We point out everything that was done wrong instead of praising what was done right.  If you only want people to make one sandwich, tell them how big their mess is.  If you want them to keep making sandwiches, tell them what they did right.”

 

 

This week, may we, too, be slow to speak, overlook the messes, and praise the progress.

 

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8