My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Proverbs 23:15-16

A number of years ago I attended a minor league baseball game. I recall the third base coach very clearly because I had grown up watching him play for a few teams in the Major Leagues. At the time I remembered thinking that it must have been a demotion for him but as I watched him throughout the game, it was clear to me that he was there to encourage the much younger players. The thing that struck me most was that between innings he would walk over to the base and converse with the players; it didn’t matter which team. So, here’s a guy who starred in the game 20+ years ago, encouraging those coming up the ranks because he had gone that route himself. He knows the pitfalls and triumphs. The color of the uniform didn’t matter at all. The game was about them, not him.

The older I get, the more I find myself trying to encourage those who are younger. I find myself cheering on those I don’t even know. Why? Because no matter who you are, life can be very tough. If there’s one thing I’m learning throughout life it’s this: this life isn’t about us.

Take the time today and each day to encourage one person. Think of ways to do this so that the encouragement can be lasting and memorable.