I’ll never forget seeing the smiles breakout on the choir members faces.
The Presbyterian church I attended growing up was a proper church. The services were subdued and full of tradition and liturgy. As a child it could be quite boring. As an adult, I long for the formalities. It has been ages since I moved away and I’ve attended a service there. I hope it remains the same as I remember.
My mom, my sisters and I always sat upstairs in the balcony. Sometimes when the choir would finish a special piece, my mom would write a big “10” on the back of her church bulletin and hold it up very high and very quietly. You could see smiles slowly break out across the choir loft. More than likely no one else even noticed. But this secret “BRAVO!” brought joy to us and to our choir friends. And maybe the preacher.
My mom called herself a “balcony person”. Long before I had heard that term used anywhere else. All of my life I witnessed her make a b-line at the close of services of all kinds to compliment those who performed, spoke or put it all together. She had a sense of urgency about it and we could not leave until she did this. I must admit, I was not always patiently waiting when this happened. She knew how hard they must have worked and it was important to her that they know someone was moved or blessed by their hard work.
I think we all need “balcony people” in our life. Someone to let you know they see you and appreciate your efforts. I’m so thankful for her example and hope I do it just as well. And I want to say thank you to YOU, for being in my balcony too!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1 Thes. 5:11
Hidden in the rafters of my studio is a “guardian angel” that once hung at my mom’s. It’s a small cherub carved of wood that she had hung on her bedroom door. I like to imagine the angel is her, watching over me as I work and silently giving me a “10” when I finish a painting.
Lovely delightful memory! A reminder and great challenge to look outward beyond ourselves and encourage others! It makes my heart happy when I act on
1 Thessalonians 5:11!
Thank you for reading Betsy! And yes! “He who refreshes others is himself refreshed.” I had a roommate in college who would take flowers to the hospital when she was feeling low. She would ask who hasn’t had any visitors or flowers and give them to them. It was an instant pick me up and I’ve never forgotten her example either.
Thank you, AMY, for sharing that lovely story about your mother! She must have been given the gift of encouragement – and used it to lift sooo many people. I know she must have been a wonderful
inspiration for you. I loved seeing the picture of the sanctuary of your church as it reminded me
of the sanctuary of the Moravian church in Winston-Salem where I have had the occasion to visit
so many times with my cousins at Christmas time – a joyous, happy occasion we all look forward to.
Loved seeing you at the Harding show! Best wishes for a successful year and lots of new inspiration!
Hey Elva! Winston-Salem is a place where we have a lot of family history. Both parents grew up in N. C. and I grew up hearing stories that took place all over that state where I was taught the sky is a special kind of blue. Wish I had written those stories down! Time with cousins is time well spent to be sure. Thank you for coming to Harding and stopping by to say hello! And thank you for reading and commenting. (((hugs)))
We all need those encouragers to help us get started or to help us finish.
We sure do. You are a great encourager! (speaking from experience here)
I’m giving you a 10 for that sweet story!
Thank you! (I’m taking a tiny bow) I am so appreciative that you would read it.