December 5
Scripture: 1 Cor 10:13
Source author: Jenni Davenport
December 15
The Game of Encouragement So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:11
Mommy, I got 60,000 points!” my son cried. I was talking with his father, so it took me a minute to focus. But then I realized he’d been playing our vintage pinball game that he’s finally tall enough to operate. “Whoa! I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten that high!” I said. “Here, let’s play together and see who gets the highest score.” He was, of course, game for the competition. I pulled the release and started flipping the flappers on the machine. Ding! Ding! My score was climbing perilously close to his record. He started shouting—I assumed he was shouting in grief that I was catching up to him. But no, I listened to the words, “Way to go, Mommy! Keep it up!” My competition-loving son was more interested in seeing me do my best than in being able to brag that he beat Mommy. Wow! What a lesson for all of us! Sometimes we all treat life like a competition and others like our competitors. How much better when we don’t worry so much about our lives but focus on helping others reach their potential.
When we cheer each other on, we’re all winners! — Jenni Davenport —