My aunt is one of the greatest encouragers I know.
She has the gift of mercy.
She remembers details of what
other people's happy thoughts are.
She buys amazing little gifts that lift the spirits.
She makes yummy meals for those in need.
Brings ice cream
and cones
for no particular reason,
She even remembered what a
friend's favorite milkshake was
and had me deliver it
when he moved into
my area.
She will listen to you, pray with you
and remind you that God is always with you...
...even in the storms
of life...
He is still there!
Recently, my aunt and uncle
have been going through their own storm.
When she called me the first night crying,
I prayed for them both, but I also prayed that
friends would surround them and shower them
with their presence and encourage them
along the way...
...and they have!
Friends have sent cards,
brought meals,
written notes,
and just
been there
for them.
They have been
the hands of feet of God
on earth.
Those she once encouraged, now encourage her.
And she is allowing them to
bless her.
The Puff Paradigm is now complete.
What is the Puff Paradigm?
Recently I introduced the magic "Puff The Magic Dragon"
to my kids.
As I watched it I never realized how deep
this children's movie was.
Jackie Draper was sad and needed encouragement,
so...
Puff took Jackie Draper and turned him into Jackie Paper.
Then he taught him 3 important lessons.
First, he needed a change of perspective his situation: the sea.
He only could think of the sea as a horrible place.
Puff showed him what it could be:
Second he needed a change of perspective on people.
Puff helped show him that the mean, scary pirate
was really just a person who'd rather
be a cook.
Now if the movie ended there,
It would be a great message:
Sometimes we need a change of perspective
on
the circumstances
and/or
the people
in our lives.
But the message would be incomplete....that's not where the movie ends.
So just how did Jackie Paper (not real) become Jackie Draper (real) once again?
He learned this lesson:
He learned to give back
what he had been taught!
How do you know you really have learned something?
When you can teach it to others.
That is the Puff Paradigm:
It is completed only when you can give back to someone else,
even the one who encouraged you in the first place.
One-way giving can be toxic to both the giver and recipient.
It is better when it goes both ways.
Jackie Paper realized
he could help Puff
and encouraged him in his time of need.
And Puff realized he could be the receiver
when he was used to being the giver.
The cycle was complete!
Jackie Paper became Jackie Draper once again.
So today,
take time to lift up
someone else,
show them a
different perspective
on
circumstances
and/or
people.
Encourage
as you have been
Encouraged.
Be encouraged
as you have been
encouraged by
those who come along side you.
And Puff's Paradigm
will make everyone's
day
brighter.
No comments:
Post a Comment