As I was saying prayers and singing our usual “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” lullaby (in our house it’s officially a lullaby😉) our nightly routine was in full swing. 

In particular, this has been our 5 year old’s favorite routine for a year now.

And just after I kissed him as many times as I could get away with, I took his plush blue blanket and whisked it into the air before it came falling down “just right” over his little body. 

And this is when he said, “You’re a fessional mommy.” 

“I am sorry, what did you say, Calvin?” I asked. 

“You ARE a fessional at my blanket, Mama,” he repeated.  

I moved in close and said, “Did you just say that I am a professional at covering you with a blanket?” 

“Uh huh!” He exclaimed. 

A thought came immediately over me. 

I AM GOOD at something! He thinks I am really good at tucking him into bed. And suddenly I had this crazy desire to cover him even better the next night and the next and the next…..

Later that evening that he called me a professional my thoughts went to, “Am I encouraging our children enough?”  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thes. 5:11

The answer was, “no.” 

We see a whole host of examples in scripture through Paul in his letters among other places. The verse above is to the Thessalonians and Paul was encouraging them to encourage each other all the while he was encouraged that they were already encouraging each other. 😉

And while Paul needed to correct sin in their life (see 1 Thes. 4:4-8) he also knew there was good. And SO he BRAGGED on them! He was so pleased with their progress in the faith since Timothy, Paul’s buddy, had just returned from a trip to the Thessalonians. Timothy discovered good news about their faith and love (see 1 Thes. 3:6)! 

Sadly, sometimes  it comes easier for me to find the wrong things our children are doing over all of the good things they do. 

I find myself sounding like one of those concession people that walk up and down the stands selling peanuts and hotdogs at a baseball game far too often. 

“Who left this banana peel? ”

“I can’t find my brush! Who keeps taking my brush?”

“We’re late! I need more help loading the car!”

While I know it’s my job to help train our children and to teach them to be responsible, I was reminded once again that evening tucking in my precious son just how much encouragement means. 

Because the truth is- 

There sure are PLENTY of opportunities each day to notice the good and to encourage them.