The kindergarten teacher diligently worked with her students, seeking to foster a caring, nurturing attitude toward each other. Over time her little charges became less eager to point out failures and began instead to display a positive, empowering spirit of encouragement, even cheering one another when there were mistakes and failures.
One little boy Zachary was especially slow and, due to a speech impediment, never took public, verbal part in class activities. But because of the classroom’s caring atmosphere, though silent, he eagerly joined in with the rest of the students in each learning activity the teacher presented.
From time to time, Zachary would raise his hand as if wanting to say something. His teacher and classmates would patiently wait, hoping that this time he would finally speak. But these moments always ended with the class clapping and saying, “Zachary, that was a good try,” in response to his enthusiastic participation and failure to speak.
Returning from a zoo tour one day, everyone in the class was excitedly sharing in a discussion.
“What’s the name of the big gray animal with the very long nose we saw today?” the teacher asked.
Zachary’s hand, as usual, immediately began to eagerly wave. The teacher called on him while the class patiently waited for the expected long silence. But then suddenly and quite unexpectedly a stuttered word came tumbling from Zachary’s lips.
“Ccccow!”
His classmates and teacher were so surprised and elated at Zachary’s first spoken word that, after a moment, there was a spontaneous burst of applause and cheering. An instant later, however, they realized that he had given a wrong answer.
It was then, without missing a beat, that Lisa, a bubbly little encourager, smiling brightly, turned to Zachary and said, “That was a great wrong answer!”
Would we like to see greater participation in and attendance at assembly gatherings?
Would it be encouraging to hear young brothers take public part in the assembly asking questions, reading Scriptures, praying and giving out hymns?
Would it be a joy to see fresh exercise among brethren to “do the work of an evangelist”?
Would it be desirable for young brothers to take an interest in the affairs of the assembly, making an effort to attend the brothers’ care meetings?
The key to obtaining such happy blessings is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-1511Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:11‑15) (JND). “Wherefore encourage one another... build up each one the other... comfort the fainthearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all... pursue always what is good towards one another.”
But we can only encourage, comfort, build up, sustain, be patient, and pursue good with one another through a spirit which emphasizes “that was a great... answer” rather than “that was a... wrong answer”!
Ed.