Daily Delight
I learned the power of positive reinforcement early on in my teaching career. Pointing out what a student was doing well worked better than focusing on what was going wrong. I soon applied this as a new mom and watched my sons begin to flourish.
In Genesis 1, God creates the light and proclaims it as good. He creates the land and sky, vegetation, all living creatures, and day and night. Each time, God recognizes that it is "all good.” God doesn’t just form the world and everything in it, but pauses each time to give thanks and declare “It is good." As I was reflecting on this simple act of praise of highlighting the good in creation, I knew God was speaking to me. The question He asked is, “How are you recognizing the good in those whose path you cross daily?" I am touched by the story of Naomi and Ruth, too, in Ruth chapter 3. Loss and grief accentuate the beginning of their story, and, even so, Naomi takes the time to build into Ruth and walk with her, as she desires for Ruth to begin her life again. Naomi and Ruth’s story taught me how God’s grace blesses others and us in unexpected way.
As I strive to answer the question above, I see how God wired each of us in unique ways. By doing this, our gifts work for His glory as we weave them with the gifts of others. Naomi mentored Ruth and the result was Ruth’s marriage and the beginning of the lineage of David.
