Over the past three or four weeks, we have had the joy of traveling to visit our three grandchildren in North Carolina and California and celebrating a first and a third birthday. Because they live far away, we make an effort to see them every few months. The time between visits makes each new stage of development especially noticeable. It is amazing how quickly they progress from sitting still to creeping, crawling, walking, and then running.
Yet when I think back to raising my four sons, I remember that each step takes time. I am impressed by the patience my sons and daughters-in-law show as they guide their children through these stages of growth. It takes a great deal of grace. As the children learn to walk, they often toddle a few steps before falling. Their parents stay close, holding their hands and gently guiding them. It is beautiful to watch them help their children find their footing.
I wonder how different life would be if we showed that same grace to people at work, in our communities, and in our daily lives as they find their way. Most of us are simply doing our best to navigate life's ups and downs. We stumble, fall, and skin our knees along the way. The last thing we need is someone crushing our spirit or defining us by our failures. What we need is a helping hand, someone to lift us up, dust us off, and encourage us to try again.
Today, keep your eyes open for someone who needs that kind of encouragement. Offer a hand up, a gracious word, or the reassurance they need to keep going.