The One About Cheering Parents

I just got back from a choir competition that my daughter was taking part in. My standout memory of the evening was a fanatical mum cheering wildly for her child in what was probably the worst performance of the night.

The mum clearly wasn’t analysing the performance for perfection or considering if her child’s choir was the best, she just cheered because she was so proud of and pleased that her child was taking part. The choir wasn’t dreadful, they just weren’t quite as good or polished as the others, the mum though wasn’t embarrassed about this, she just cheered.

This was a wonderful reminder for me that God is my father and that he cheers for me even if I am not the best. Even on my worst days or when I am in last place, God my father loves and cheers for me. Before Jesus had started his ministry, telling people about his Father, God said ‘this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased’.

I came across this amazing picture of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner cheering on their daughter at a sports day event. From the picture, we can see that their little girl wasn’t first, but they were delighted at her willingness to run the race anyway..

Encouragement is a powerful force. All of the children in the choirs tonight were enjoying themselves and it was wonderful to see the joy that they found in their performance and also in the cheering from the crowd.

The evening was a great reminder for me that God cheers us on but it was also a challenge to consider whether I cheer others on as much and as consistently as I should do. The brightest, the best and the winners all get plenty of encouragement, but I believe that we should encourage and cheer one another on in life at every opportunity.

Do you know that you are unconditionally loved by God?

Do you know that you can demonstrate and share the unconditional love of God with others?

May you experience much cheering today.

If you want to think about this some more then I would suggest reading My Greatest Creation is You.