Earlier this winter, my daughter participated in a cheerleading clinic. She and other elementary school kids learned two routines and were invited to perform at halftime during the high school basketball game.
She and I practiced the small group routine over and over, perfecting the cheer and hand claps and jumps. What I couldn’t help her with was the large group routine. She had a small stunt she was involved in, and while I can holler and clap with the best of them, my cheerleading “skills” end there. I would just have to wait and see her during the game.
She ran out onto the basketball court, a beaming smile on her face and high ponytail flying. She crushed the small group routine, the one we’d practiced together, and I was so proud. I was beaming too! And then all the kids spread out over the whole court, picked up signs and poms, and went into their large group routine.
My girl was the base for another girl, whom she helped hoist into the air. She and two more girls formed a kind of pyramid, then boosted the fourth girl up on their hands, holding her confident and strong.
When she ran off the court and for the rest of the evening, my daughter could not stop talking about how much fun she’d had. Cheering on the players. Being part of something bigger. But especially, she expressed that her joy had been serving as the base, lifting another kid up into the air.
“I helped her fly!” she exclaimed. And even now as I write this, tears prick my eyes because what if we all took such joy in helping each other fly?
We may not all be the best cheerleaders. We may need to be lifted up ourselves. But we can all do the heavy lifting of friendship, of support, of helping someone else to fly.
When we do, we might be stepped on. We may be overlooked in some ways. We may not be at the top of the pyramid; but we may be called upon and given the opportunity to be the strong, firm, and steady support someone needs.
To be clear, it takes strength to both ask for and offer such support.
The times throughout my life that I’ve needed to be held up were humbling. I don’t necessarily have trouble or guilt asking for help, but it can be a shock to realize that I don’t — I can’t — hold everything together on my own. I’ve been so thankful that when I’ve asked (and even a few times when I haven’t had to), my prayers for help have been answered. Meals delivered. Tasks finished. Dishes done. Snacks dropped at my door. Finances given.
Some of the people who have helped lift me up have been the closest and dearest of friends. Others have been total strangers, led to follow a whispered call.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:2 NIV
I grew up in the glory days of Amy Grant, and one of my favorite songs of hers is Angels Watching Over Me, and the closing line that says “Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home”.
Friends, we can be those hands! With our offerings both big and small, we can be the ones to hoist another right up into the air.
We can be the one who helps another girl fly.
In tangible ways and in words spoken. In giving from our time, our talents, and our treasures. In showing up when we’re needed, even if we’re not asked. In opening our hearts, our homes, our hands to one another.
In a world where it’s often easier to assume, ignore, or compete, we can be the ones to support, uplift, and bolster.
When the chance to help arises, may we find ourselves saying, “I get to be the one!” May we beam as my daughter did on that basketball court as she hoisted someone up and into the air. And may our hands serve as one pair that helps lead another Home.
P.S. Be sure to read (or listen!) tomorrow because we’ve got a HUGE announcement to share with you!
Listen to today’s devotion below or wherever you stream podcasts!
Leave a Comment
Sharon says
Thank you so much for sharing! Oh, if only we could all see life through the eyes of a child. God has brought some older ladies into my life, widowed or divorced, whom I attempt to connect to on a regular basis. Sometimes I get a bit weary, but from now on I will pray for the continued ability & strength (and thank God for the opportunity!) to do my part, be my part of the “pyramid”. To help them fly!
KathleenB says
Amen! I’m sure you’ve been called upon to serve in this beautiful ministry to lift others.
Anna E. Rendell says
Love that, Sharon! What a gift.
Lisa Wilt says
Anna-what a wonderful job you are doing, raising your children for your daughter to be so joyous about helping others fly. You encouraged me today with your writing, and every day with your excellent reading voice. Happy Easter to you and your family!
Anna E. Rendell says
Oh Lisa, thank you for that encouragement! Not sure how much is nature vs. nurture, as the old cycle goes, but she really is something special <3 Appreciate you!!
Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.TH.a) says
AMEN! By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35 KJV
Gail says
This is so beautiful! What an encouragement to be an encourager and support for others. Thank you, Anna!
Anna E. Rendell says
Thank you Gail – so glad you’re here!
Irene says
Anna, you hit the ball out of the park on this one! Well done, Mom and Daughter! I’m going to love putting this into practice more!
Anna E. Rendell says
Irene your comment made me smile wide! Thank you so much.
Janet W says
I love this Anna. Thank you. I cannot wait to share this beautiful, kind and simple reminder to my granddaughters!
Kathleen mokrzan says
Thanks I’ll be looking tomorrow
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Anna love your reading today. Let’s help each other. I do Home Help Monday to Friday. For an Elderly person. Who thinks they are right at times when they are not. I love doing it. As I do for the person on to the Love of the Lord and the Love of them. But they are not saved. I pray for their Salvation. The Lord showed to let them think what they want. You keep doing their Home Help. Say nothing to them let them think what they want. They not change until they get saved. But when I do their Home Help doing their Home making it nice and tidy for them. Things they can’t do. They love me doing it. I love to make them smile that I done it for them. Even though they can think they are right most of the time because they are older. It pleases me. Let me know we have both made either fly. With me helping them by doing their Home. It making both of us smile to see it tidy again. I say thank you Lord. Even though I have to have patience. God gives me that. Love Dawn xx in my prayers.
Anna E. Rendell says
Thanks so much Dawn, you certainly are a gift to that family <3
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Thank you Anna for saying I am gift to that Family. God time and time again brings me to Ephesians 4 verse 32 where it says be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you. As times you could say plenty but I don’t I say nothing. I just go on doing their Home Help remember what that verse says. As it helps alot Love Dawn xx
Heidi Jo says
“You can help a girl fly.” These words and your beautiful story resonated with me this morning. I encourage, mentor, and share about who Jesus is with the young women God places in my path within the country I serve in.
Sometimes I doubt what I do and believe it isn’t enough. Sometimes these same doubts cause me to think the coffee one-on-one conversations with my young friends do not meet the expectations of “success” when compared to other work with our organization.
But I know God has placed these young women in my life for a purpose and, because of your precious daughter, Anna, I now know how to express what happens within my heart when I see God working in their lives! My heart bursts when they fly towards Jesus!
I am excited to teach this expression to the girls and encourage them to help young women who come into their lives to fly.
Thank you for your story and its challenge, Anna.
Your fellow Minnesotan,
Heidi Jo
(I saw Amy Grant open a concert in Minneapolis – she sat on stool with her guitar and sang barefooted. lol)
Priscilla Bettis says
Anna, this is beautiful. Yes, let’s joyfully help each other fly!
Beth Williams says
Anna,
I get such joy helping others. You can often find me at work (hospital) cheering on patients when they get to walk the halls. Most Fridays you will see me assisting others at Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. Giving a boost to those in need. Once a month I gather or prepare food for Recover Soldiers meals-these men are in a Christian based addiction recovery. Like your daughter I love helping others fly. I may be the spoke on the wheel helping to turn, but God sees & will reward me later.
Blessings 🙂