IT WAS WEDNESDAY EVENING. My co-leader and I were busy teaching a class of second graders attending our church’s Adventurer Club meeting. Danny* was a member of our class. He was taller than the rest of the children—and mischievous, often disrupting the class with his jokes and teasing. We spent a lot of time trying to keep him under control.
At one point in the class, as the children were busy working on an art project, I happened to take a good look at the work Danny was doing. He was, for once, quietly focused on gluing and painting, and the effect was turning out to be quite exceptional.
“Danny, your picture is beautiful!” I exclaimed. “I love the colors you are putting together. You are an artist.” Danny looked up in stunned surprise, and slowly a smile spread across his face. At that moment, I realized that he, with his frequent misbehavior problems, probably seldom heard words of praise and encouragement.
OF BASEMENTS AND BALCONIES
In Joyce Landorf Heatherley’s book Balcony People, we are told of two significant categories of people we experience in life’s journey. First are those who have caused us heartache and pain through their discouraging and destructive words or actions. These, she says, are the “evaluators.”1 Another term she uses is “basement people”2—those who pull us downward into the dark, murky waters of discouragement and despair.However, second are the “affirmers” or as Joyce calls them, the “Balcony People.” She further explains how this would look:
“All around that sphere of clear air in our conscious minds runs a balcony filled with people who are not merely sitting there but practically hanging over the rail, cheering us on.”3 These people can include family, close friends, parents, co-workers, teachers—anyone from the past, such as Bible heroes and authors, or those in the present who cheer us onward toward becoming more than we are.
It is an unfortunate human trait that we tend to spend more time replaying and sharing the harmful memories of wrongs done to us than we do in lifting our thoughts to all the support and love extended from the balcony influences in our lives. Choosing to be pulled downward into memories of sadness and pain can be a pathway to detrimental health issues, such as elevated blood pressure, physical aches and pain, and loss of interest in living an abundant life.
Here is some helpful advice to consider:
“Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what someone has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character. Cultivate thankfulness. Praise God for His wonderful love in giving Christ to die for us. It never pays to think of our grievances. God calls
upon us to think of His mercy and His matchless love, that we may be inspired with praise.”4
THE VIEW FROM THE BALCONY
The memory of that moment with Danny, of seeing how my praise surprised him and made him smile, still warms my own heart. Danny is still Danny, but I’m seeing this young boy in a new light. He needs love and affirmation. He needs balcony people in his young life to patiently encourage the development of his good characteristics.
Everyone needs encouragement. It can be a source of motivation, of feeling valued, and of self-confidence. Not only is it important to mental and physical health but it can also infuse life with joy and purpose—joy for the receiver of encouragement, and joy for the heart of the giver: the balcony person. God knows our needs well, and in His Word we can find much to encourage us in our journey through life.
However, this joy is to be shared, and we are urged to encourage others, using every opportunity to lift up those around us. God wants us to be His balcony people on this earth. He longs for us to be both His words and acts of encouragement and kindness to those who need such. Hear words of invitation to this calling:
1. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
2. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” (Romans 15:5).
3. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
4. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
BE A BALCONY PERSON—CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Imagine what your family, your church, your workplace, and your community would be like if there was more sharing of praise, encouragement, and kindness. What a wonderful world ours would be! You and I can make a difference by taking every opportunity to be a balcony person by—
• Speaking honest words of praise, encouragement, and appreciation
• Encouraging even the smallest of efforts, especially by children
• Focusing primarily on what someone did right, not wrong
• Writing a note of thanks or a card of caring concern at appropriate times
• Listening attentively when someone is speaking to you
• Helping in times of need such as moving, childcare, and rides to appointments
• Giving when a need arises for food, clothing, etc.
• Being present when comfort or encouraging companionship is needed
• Providing visible tokens of encouragement such as colorful stickers for children, flowers, badges, certificates, and even hugs or a hand on the shoulder to affirm and offer support
• Remembering how your balcony people have inspired and encouraged you and then sharing their methods in your ministry
RESOURCES:
https://deborahbyrnepsychologyservices.com/8-tips-onhow-you-can-encourage-others/
https://www.wikihow.com/Encourage-People
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/health/2015/08/18/eight-ways-provide-powerencouragement/31905023/
https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/g33038069/bible-verses-about-encouraging-others/
1 Joyce Landorf Heatherley, Balcony People (Austin, Texas: Balcony Pub., 1984), p. 15.
2 Ibid., p. 33.
3 Ibid., p. 34.
4 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 492.
