You've Got This!

A couple weeks ago I was sitting at a youth sports event when from behind me a voice yelled, "You've got this!" I turned to look at the source of the voice, and found a very cute 3-year-old girl, wearing glasses and watching the game very seriously. As the game progressed, her voice rang out again and again, strong, sure, and yes, a with a child's faith, hope, and love, insisting to her older sister's team, "You've got this!" I struck up a conversation with her mom, who laughed as she explained that they watch a lot of sports at their house, so this is a learned behavior. "I'm not even sure she really knows what it means!" she said. 

I made a mental note (and a digital note in my phone) to remember the "you've got this voice." After reflecting on that voice for a couple weeks, I'd like to share some thoughts. 

1. "You've got this." The team didn't win that day, but they played well as a team, had fun, and built each other up. They believed in what they were doing, and that made playing the game worth it. In a world that is trying to make winners and losers out of everyone, let’s remember that there is more to life and who we are. It really is about how we play the game. 

2. "You've got this." Having someone to cheer you on makes a world of difference, especially in the tough games. When that person is a member of your community - that encouragement keeps you going. We are called to be encouraging to each other.

3. "You've got this." Encouragement and positivity are learned behaviors. Whatever we do, we are sharing our attitudes, faith, and actions with our community. This includes those younger folks around us. If we encourage others, they will, too. If we believe in others, they will too. 

Shortly after arriving at college, my roommate declared the following verse to be how she wanted to be known: "Therefore do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but instead, lift others up, according to their need." (Ephesians 4:29) She wanted to be an encourager! I would like to encourage all of us to be encouragers as we enter this season of family, friend, work, and school gatherings. 

Friends, you've got this! ~ Pastor Melodie  (reprinted from the November 2022 Eastridge Presbyterian Church newsletter