Seeing Your Potential

Seeing Your Potential

Encourage each other with these words.

Several years ago, a woman relayed a story about a dream she’d had for many years. She wanted to be a speaker and writer who ministered to single mothers like herself, but in the wilderness of her current circumstances, it seemed like an impossible aspiration. She told no one, hardly daring to say it aloud, until one day she worked up the courage to tell a friend and mentor. Her trusted friend paused, then said, “I can see that potential in you.”

That affirmation gave her the added boost of confidence she needed to pursue her dream—a ministry that eventually grew and led to her speaking onstage and traveling the country, sharing with others.

My friend Andrew has a similar ability to see the potential in others. When my husband and I tried to follow an easy, noncommittal route and volunteered as greeters at church, he challenged us to work in the kid classrooms instead. Later, he pulled us out of our comfort zone by asking us to step up as leaders of a small group—a challenge that he would make repeatedly over the next several years, prompting us to lead numerous women’s, couples, and family-themed groups in our home and community.

What I appreciated most about Andrew was that his boldness wasn’t due to arrogance; it was a holy expectation of God’s provision and timing. He recognized a need in the church and saw that we could meet that need. Sometimes other people can see our potential for leadership, a new role, or something outside of our comfort zone much more clearly than we can. As friends, how can we encourage the potential in those we love and care about? The encouraging words we choose to use can be just the boost our friends need to get moving. Let’s recognize the potential in our friends and encourage them in their pursuit of God-sized dreams.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Reach out to a friend, encouraging her to step out in an area where you can see she has potential.