I’ve written before about what an encourager EA is. She is constantly giving out praises and compliments in the sweetest way.
Last week I saw a perfect example of encouragement in an interaction she had with her sister during homeschool.
After both of their phonics lessons, I decided it may be fun to play a game with their Short A word cards. It was a smiliar game to something I would have played with my students when I was teaching school. It went like this….the girls stood side by side at one one of our living room, I would show them a word card and they were to sound it out and read the word to me. If they correctly read the word, then they could take a step forward. The first one to read the window at the other end of the living room won the game.
MC struggles a big more with phonics than her sister. She also has many, many perfectionist tendancies (like her mother) and I was trying to make it more fun for her.
Unfortunately for me, I didn’t take into account the competition factor. She quickly began to get discrouaged as she fell behind her sister in the game.
And then I noticed something…
when EA read a word, she took the tiniest steps forward
and
when MC correctly read a word, she started taking larger steps forward.
MC slowly began creeping up to her sister.
And as she got closer, her confidence grew.
She began enjoying the game more.
She started sounding out more and more of her words correctly.
As she was just one step behind her sister, EA looked back and they smiled so sweetly at each other.
And when MC made the final step up and caught up to her sister, the two of them hugged and laughed. EA patted MC on the back and was truly happy for her.
In the end, MC reached the window first and “won” the game. With just one turn left, EA read her last word and reached the window so that she could “win” too.
And we all cheered, laughed, and they congratulated each other.
As I think about our time playing a simple learning game, I am so proud of EA. She didn’t gloat in her abilities as her sister struggled.
She showed restraint in taking smaller steps forward so as not to leave her sister in the dust.
She cheered her partner on, holding back her own success to motivate and encourage.
In that interaction I saw an example of what a real encourager is.
A real encourager brings other with them and holds their hand as they are traveling the same road.
A real encourager seeks the good of others above their own.
I feel pride in knowing that I have seen this lived out in the lives of my own children.
And I am thankful for the privilege of homeschool that has allowed me to witness this truly finer thing!
Visit Finer Things Friday at Amy’s Finer Things for more “finer things” to celebrate and be thankful for.
Stephanie says
You tears to my eyes. What a great story. I wish my girls would get a long like that, but they are very competative. Reading about your girls gives me hope though. It is possible for sisters to be nice to each other! 🙂
Tara says
What a blessing!
Nancy M. says
That is so sweet! She sounds very compassionate!
.-= Nancy M.´s last blog ..I Need A New Camera and Some Other Issues =-.
Suzanne says
That made me all teary eyed. What a great trait – we can all learn from her!
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Friends =-.
Suzanne says
That made me all teary eyed. What a great trait – we can all learn from her!
homegrownstrawberries says
What a wonderful example of who she is I believe God has a lot in store for her with a heart as genital as that.
.-= homegrownstrawberries´s last blog ..Patience before the Party =-.
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
I’ve included this in my Friday Favorites post!
.-= Ann Marie @ Household6Diva´s last blog ..friday favorites =-.
Donnetta says
Oh my what an absolutely sweet story revealing the tender and encouraing heart of your little girl! Beautiful…
Donnetta says
Oh my what an absolutely sweet story revealing the tender and encouraging heart of your little girl! Beautiful…
Sarah says
Monica – that was such a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing it. It is a struggle for me to find ways to encourage Alena because she sounds so much like MC. But I do want to try your game, I think that would be fun for them/me.
Pat says
What a precious story! She had to learn that from watching you and your husband encourage others. I know you must be so proud of her!
.-= Pat´s last blog ..Mom’s Lunch =-.
Laura says
Too sweet! Definitely made my eyes a little misty as well. You have two of the cutest little girls I’ve ever gotten to watch (however briefly) and this story is adorable. 🙂
Amy @ Finer Things says
I bawl happy tears when my kids do stuff like that. 🙂 So precious!
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Thanksgiving on a Budget: Frugal Recipes =-.