Just a heads-up to pack your bags and travel with Paula Hendricks to The Gospel Coalition Conference tomorrow through Thursday right here on the True Woman Blog!
Are you a “balcony person” or a “basement person”? I read a book several years ago that described basement people as critics who always seem to have something negative to say, and balcony people as encouragers and affirmers who always urge you on.
As I reflect on the balcony people in my life, I think of Mother Maxine Newman, a wonderful woman in our church. She woke my sister and I up almost every Saturday morning to let us know that she was on her way to pick us up for Sunshine Band. I smile when I remember the mornings that we were grouchy and ill-tempered yet she’d still welcome us into her car with a bright smile.
When I became a teenager she groomed me for public speaking. She took me to a state convention to speak in an oratorical contest. When it was time for me to speak, I was nowhere to be found. I had bolted! I was terrified of speaking in front of hundreds of people. At the end of the evening when it was time to go back home, she found me and told me that she believed in me. And when I turned sixteen and started liking boys she ‘channeled my energies’ in the right direction. Years later when I got married, she presented an engraved Bible to my groom, encouraging him to hold true to the faith and to take care of her girl. Still a balcony person after so many years!
I wonder, as you think back, who are the balcony people that God placed in your life to urge you on? Was it a special teacher, a parent, a friend, a sibling, or maybe a pastor or a godly woman in your church? Maybe this is a hard question for you to think about. Perhaps your childhood is marked by abuse and neglect. Maybe that’s your reality even today.
Can I be your balcony person today? Your very being has been delicately crafted by the hand of a loving God who poured His love for you out on Calvary’s cross. He is constantly making intercession for you. He is the ultimate balcony person. He has equipped you–even through the hurt you have endured–to be a bold witness for Him. You can do it!
The writer of Hebrews reminds us all that there is a great cloud of witnesses–true balcony people–urging us on in the faith. They stand at the finish line encouraging us all to finish well. Among them is one of my favorite balcony people, the apostle Paul. So many of his words encourage me in my day-to-day walk: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).
It will be glory to cross that finish line and fall into the embrace of this great crowd of balcony people. Can’t you see them! I want to see Sarah and thank her for her obedience that has held my feet to the fire in the area of submission. I want to thank Peter for being so real with his faith. And I’ll search through the crowd until I find Mother Maxine Newman. I’ll thank her for being the wings that hovered over me until I could fly, and then propelled me far and wide into the work of the kingdom.
How about you? Was there a special balcony person in your life that you can praise God for? And are you being a balcony person in the lives of those closest to you?
Comments
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 9:25 am
Thank you for your post; brought tears to my eyes. Yes, our Lord Jesus is the ultimate "balcony Person" who has comforted, strengthened and encouraged me through thick and thin; He has (and will) ALWAYS been/be there for me.
There were very trying times in my life when the Lord used a variety of temporary "balcony people", encouraging me on, ministering life and grace to my soul (through Jesus).
Then there have been faithful ones in my family and church for whom I am grateful.
The one I would give tribute to today -- and I have mentioned her before on ROH blogs -- is my "second mother" -- looks somewhat like yours, Karen! She has steadily encouraged me on in my Chrstian faith since I was a little girl, and was the first one I remember telling me that Jesus was (and is) God. I don't have too much contact with her now, but when I do, she's still there encouraging, reaching out, helping -- even though now she's almost 90 years old. Now her daughter seems to be following in her footsteps... yes, Karen, I thank God for such people; yet you are right; even when we have no one else, our Lord Jesus is truly the greatest "balcony Person" of all, and will never fail us (Heb. 13:5; Is. 41:10!)
In His love,
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 9:29 am
She was 15 years older than me but acted like my very best friend. Although it was hard to take her reproofs at my blind spots, she encouraged me to read this book and I realized how very much she was my Balcony Friend. My encourager to go on, to trust God, to train my children and above all to put my relationship with my husband first. She has gone on to be with the Lord but I will always treasure our times together and our planting of gardens in the spring time. I have Bleeding Hearts that bloom every year to remind me of my special Balcony Friend. I too hope to love and encourage others as she had loved me during that special season of our lives..
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 9:33 am
Your very being has been delicately crafted by the hand of a loving God who poured His love for you out on Calvary’s cross.
Thank you.
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:07 am
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:07 am
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:24 am
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 11:03 am
Your post was a blessing. I love that you shared a picture of Mother Maxine Newman. She is lovely ....it shows how encouraging others has a physical impact on the sweetness of our own countenance!
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 11:28 am
God continue to bless you and your writing for Him!
Thank you!
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I desire to be a balcony person through my writing, encouraging women that their hope is and will always be in Jesus, and that their two greatest goals in life (besides winning souls to Christ) are to glorify God and truly enjoy Him.
Thanks for an insightful post.
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 3:23 pm
on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 5:51 pm
If only my mother could have understood that our young, married neighbor wife/mother of babies was teaching me to understand and accept my mother's critical comments....to see beyond my hurt and to see my mother was reacting to her hurt.
Unfortunately, barring me from spending time with my balcony person widened the chasm between my mother and me.
I long for such a person even now.
on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:27 am
on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 3:43 pm
on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm
on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 1:33 am