My Take
DiVoran LItes
Earl plays the guitar for our praise team. He’s one of those who can play many instruments and play them without notes on paper.
Earl is a big man, younger than my son, older than my grandson. I hold his hand in our prayer circle after practice. His hand is gentle, patient, and strong.
His little girl, Susie, is in my Sunday School class. She’s about to be seven as she puts it.
One day she brought a plush horse to Sunday School and I noticed he had construction paper wings. They were designed and cut and adhered to the horse with tape that stayed on through all Susie’s loving. “Who made your horse’s wings?” I said.
“My daddy,” she said. Later I learned that almost all her critters have wings daddy has made for them. One Sunday she told me about a small worry, and I suggested she tell her Mommy about it. AND my Daddy says Susie adamantly.
After practice on Father’s Day it came to me to compliment Earl on his fathering skills. Everyone likes to be encouraged in this way.
As we left the platform I said I had something I wanted to tell him. A look of fear came into his eyes and I realized that he had perhaps in the past been told a lot of things he didn’t want to hear, but he was brave, he didn’t bolt.
“Susie really loves you, I said. You are a good father.”
“She’s my baby,” he said, still wary.
I told him about the wings and how impressed I was with the way Susie loves him and trusts him.
“Just doing what comes naturally,” said Earl.
I told him I understood that, but that few daddy’s of my acquaintance gave their little daughters the kind of TLC he does.
“Oh, I didn’t know….” His face began to crumple.
In order to escape his embarrassment if he started to cry I started to move discretely away, but he kept pace with me. “Thank you for telling me that,” he said. “You can’t know what it means to me.”
I told him I did understand what he meant. Regular people so rarely see our own excellent qualities.
My grandmother Maire would approve of my telling him how I felt.. She always taught that if you saw something good about someone they deserved a compliment.
Pastor Peter Lord would approve too. His number one message these days is Eulogy:.tell people good things about themselves while they are alive. Don’t wait until you go to their funerals.
Most people need encouragement for the good things they are and do. To coin a phrase a quart of praise is worth more than a gallon of criticism. It’s one gift that makes both the giver and the receiver as happy as can be.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11
Old Things R New 
What a beautiful post, Divoran. I teared up when I read about the father you complimented. He’ll probably take your words out and remember them whenever he needs them now. What a wonderful gift you gave him.
LikeLike
DiVoran, last Sunday our pastor said that he likes to stop by and just “watch” someone – even someone washing a window. When they look at him, he says, “Wow! That’s the best job of window cleaning I’ve ever seen!” He said no one ever told him he was a nut and to move along. They always say….Thank You! We should ALWAYS remember to thank and compliment those around us. My mom told me to always thank Fred for taking out the trash – it’s such a thankless job. I Love You!
LikeLike
You are one tuned-in cookie! Keep it up! I may cross your path one day and need some of that special perception! LOL XOXO
LikeLike
What a precious beautiful practice… to tell people the encouragements that come to us when we think of them. Bless you for the wonderful post!
LikeLike
So important to act when we are prompted. I’m a firm believer in that. Great post.
LikeLike
So, so true. I lost my Mum – so important not to hold encouragement back. Thanks for this.
LikeLike
Thanks James and you are so right. We shouldn’t hold back on encouraging others.
LikeLike
Oh my! That really touched my heart, DiVoran. We all need to reach out and “touch” another soul. It is so very encouraging to show tenderness in dealing with our felliow man.
LikeLike
The comments on this blog were so encouraging and generous, they brought me to tears, and believe me I do not cry easily.
LikeLike
Thank you for the reminder. There is no greater feeling than seeing the eyes of a child light up after hearing simple words of praise. If only we could remember to do so every day, and not just to the children.
LikeLike
We all know first hand how devastating words can be. I wonder why we don’t easily realize how powerful and empowering they also are.
LikeLike
Children don’t hide their feelings like we adults. They walk a little straighter when we remember to give them a word of praise.
LikeLike
What you did was beautiful. People don’t realize how powerful words can be. Just by sharing your thoughts on him, something as simple as just taking the time, must have meant the world to him.
LikeLike
I loved this! We focus on our “bucket list” of things to do and forget we should have a bucket list of things to say as well. Thank you for always being an encourager in the lives of people around you. Love you!
LikeLike