One of my red long stem roses was coming into bloom. It had recently grown to a new height, and because we didn’t have any blinds in our living room we could watch it grow from our living room window.
Normally, we probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but because we were in lockdown and spending a lot more time inside of our home, we did. It was one of the most stunning roses my rose garden has ever produced!
I have realised the importance of looking for the good, particularly in this season. It is a season of concern, fear, uncertainty and even division.
It is a decision to look for the good.
Naturally, the growing concern of the world is taking over many people's conversations/thought life. You only have to go to your nearest supermarket to overhear conversations of people sharing about friends getting arrested for protesting, neighbours dobbing them into the police.
And what is this doing to our children?
There is a reason why Paul writes in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 -
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
You can’t train an old dog with new tricks but you can create new habits by thinking about what you are actually thinking about.
Look for the good in humanity
With so many pulling each other down and apart for their differing views and opinions the Olympics really couldn’t have come at a better time. Seeing teammates champion each other and relish in each other’s successes has been a highlight of mine. Even seeing healthy rivalry has been refreshing to watch.
We must always continue to look for the good in others, believe the best in one another and genuinely encourage one another.
John Maxwell writes: ‘One of the best things you can do for people - which also attracts them to you - is to expect the best of them. I call it putting a “10” on everyone's head. It helps others think more highly of themselves, and at the same time it also helps you.’
I hope everyone in their lifetime gets to experience this from an employer. Where they are made to feel like they are winning because they feel so believed in and empowered.
Look for the good in everyday
Yesterday I was driving (within our current 10 kilometer allowance of course) and I drove past a well known man’s property. He is well known in our area because every morning and afternoon you will find him standing out the front of his property, waving to the oncoming traffic. Why? Simply to brighten their day. He has done this for some time. He has decided to look for the good in life and bring with it some cheer for others.
In Moira Andrews children’s book called Grandma’s Garden she writes,
“You can choose the colour of your day.
You can paint it with the dark cloud of unhappiness,
or colour it with the bright sunshine of love,
You can paint a rainbow of hope,
You can sparkle your day with joy.”
She encourages children to sparkle their day with joy. And I think that that is a good reminder for us all as well.
Elise Pappas is a Pastor and together with her husband pastor a church on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. They have a son, Jonathan and a daughter, Sophie. Elise is a former clinical drug trial research coordinator and business owner. She writes about life and ministry experiences.
