Jackie Robinson was the first African-American person to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. Players would stomp on his feet and kick him. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he made an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans booed. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.
Encouragement means so much. Sometimes it’s verbal... a word of affirmation or a compliment. Yet other times, it’s not. It can come in the form of a hand squeeze, a wink, a pat on the back, or in Jackie Robinson’s case, an arm over the shoulder. Regardless of how it is conveyed, everyone needs to be encouraged. The Bible talks about it in 1 Thessalonians 5
Vs. 11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Throughout the course of your life you will talk with many people. Some will be closer than others... but all will be affected by the conversations. What kind of impact are you having on them? Are you building them up? Helping them see their potential? Reminding them of their value? God has called us to do so. There are enough people in this world trying to boo and jeer those you love. Refuse to be one of them. Choose to shine your light on the good things... point them out... lift them up... and encourage those around you to believe in themselves again. It’s love like that that will change the world.
