There was a little girl who came into the Youth Center when it was open.  I believe she had just turned six years old.  She was a treasure; an angel at times, but other times tottering on the line of being a “smarty.”  In a way it made her witty beyond her years.

When she was playing a competitive game against another child she would say, “Yell for me, Debbie,” or anyone else who was watching that she felt should be supporting her.  The amazing thing about her though was that she didn’t just say that when she was playing, but also when her sisters competed.  You can guess who she wanted us to cheer for when she competed against one of them.

“Cheer me on!”  “Let me know you’re out there!”  “Encourage me!”  My goodness, everyone sure could use a lot more of having someone on the sidelines saying, “You can do it!”; someone making some noise, letting us know we are not alone in this thing, whatever it may be.

Kids like to be cheered-on.  They receive it for what it is:  A sign of support, and even if they lose, they don’t feel like they were alone.  But have you noticed that when they start getting older that the cheering isn’t received as much as support, but that their ability is being questioned?

Is that pride or independence?  Is that why older kids (adults) will sometimes receive a word of encouragement as pity or consolation?  Maybe it has to do with who it is that is doing the encouraging, or how they feel about that person?  I don’t know.

But I do know the little kids have the right idea (but what else is new?).  A few more, “Cheer for me’s,” “Yell my name,” would sure help anyone anytime they could get them.

Welcome to Spirit Bread
Spiritual Bread for the Spirit Bred
"To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat."  (Revelation 2:17 NKJV)
From a Woman's Heart

“Yell for Me"
by Debbie Ousley
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 NKJV)