Besides immersing ourselves in Scripture- the second best activity and role as a Christian is: Cheerleading.
Not the typical (or cliche) definition of a cheerleader.
Now, the idea of me being a cheerleader is rather outlandish! I'm a former band-geek! I'm an artist! Not to mention age & weight realities. But, the longer I serve- it's the most accurate description of my job.
As a little girl- I was the eldest sister. Elder siblings have the unique responsibility of encouraging younger siblings to talk and walk and "get with the program" of being a member of the family unit. Because the second child in our family was just three years behind me- she didn't necessarily want to follow my lead or heed my warnings (like the time she tried to burn the house down!) and it was clear my leadership skills needed honing. By the time #3 arrived (#2 referred to her as "that new kid") I was eight-years old and better equipped to fulfill that leadership role; and, as she was most biddable, I found it easier to encourage her into performing her task of little sister. When #4 kid arrived- I was eleven and it was just easier to put him on my hip and hoist him around into whatever activity we were trying to accomplish- be it bedevil our poor Mama or follow the herd or concoct mischief and blame it on #2 *sly wink*. Yes! Senior membership can be taken advantage of at even young ages!!
My point is- I grew up in a leadership position comprised of many facets: cook (I was really good at "burning my dookies"!); bottle-washer; ruffle-smoother; picker-upper (of both kids and toys); band-aid applier; teacher; chief-gopher; and children's concierge.
Because that's all the experience I had to rely upon- that's the way I filled my role as a wife and a mother. Now I find myself not only a caregiver to my 101-year old Grandmother but as a Mom to a Marine Recruit.
Writing encouraging letters to my own "Kid" in hopes of keeping his spirits up is a job I love! Finding the time to sit still long enough and compose coherent thoughts is a bit of a trial since I "think a lot" and can barely get it all from the cerebellum through the fingers and into the keyboard before it's lost. Because I like to journal- I'm gonna try to blog these thoughts and just send them to him rather than trying to figure out what I wrote to him the last time and quit repeating myself of smallish news from home.
Trying to keep the spirits of an ailing Grandmother up as she is continually isolated because of loss of mobility and hearing is a challenge. Thankfully-- Skype was invented and the role of cheerleading is shared with #3 and her toddler daughter. When the nursing staff walked in this morning and realized that this very hip G-Grandmother was watching her great-granddaughter play and "read" hundreds of miles away; they appreciated the value of cheerleaders both near and far.
I now define the term "cheerleader" in a more robust connotation. Building morale and encouraging one another to full potential (be it better health or achieving mental & physical disciplines) is the goal.
Ready? Ok! Give me--
- an "E" for encouraging,
- an "S" for spirit,
- a "P" for prayer,
- an "R" for rally,
- an "I" for inspire,
- and a "T" for try, try, try again!
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