Dear Reader:

Richard Rohr ( “Yes and”… Daily Meditations) observes that the basic question, put before Jesus in the temptation scenes, was ” Is God to be trusted?” That is the great question the human race is still asking at the most basic level. Jesus’ resounding response is” Yes! God is on your side. Yes! God is more for you than you are for yourself.”

In other words… God is our greatest cheerleader. Now take a moment… and think of the cheerleaders you have experienced in your life… Perhaps…grandparents, parents, relatives, siblings, spouses, teachers, coaches, neighbors, and/or close friends.

I can’t help but think back on Eloise’s last dance recital… she was excited but also nervous… all of us told her when her class came out to dance she might not be able to see us in the packed crowds with the light on her… but listen closely. Walsh said he would yell her name loud enough for her to hear. That brought a big smile to her face.

When it was finally time for her class to perform Eloise was on the end nearest us but the clapping was really loud… and Eloise was concentrating on her steps… when it was over… and the class started out… amid more applause… she hesitated and searched the dark theater… Walsh timed it perfectly.. his lone voice with her brothers chiming in yelled: ” Way to go Eloise.” Her face lit up.. and she remained a few seconds behind the retreating class dancers… as she turned towards the sound, her face completely lit up… waving in our direction and blowing kisses as the audience chuckled. Promise kept… a special boost of love.

God wants us to be cheerleaders for all His children … as He has been and is still there for us!

We all need people in our lives that believe in us… so if we do… everyone does and ” We” need to replace “Me.” It’s our turn to repay back those wonderful people who boosted our lives by being a cheerleader for others.

We need to cross the bridge from selfish to selfless in promoting others creative endeavors and helping the next generation find their path of ” passion.”

When people talk about wanting to be remembered… it won’t be for their talents alone but more for how they used their talents to coach and encourage others… becoming a cheerleader for those around them.

I don’t want to embarrass Honey … but I am… as talented as she is with her kiln and clay… to me she has just not been a cheerleader for me… but she has ” sculpted ” so many people’s lives through her generosity of time and benevolence. She never stops helping others… never. She lives to serve. Amazing!

So until tomorrow…

Cheerleading is not a sport! It is a lifestyle!

Today is my favorite day. Winnie the Pooh