Those who receive encouragement instead of criticism work the hardest. While picking strawberries with my 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter, I noticed that they would tend to get discouraged easily. I would have six or eight quart baskets filled and they would still be working on their first or second. Some of their discouragement came from seeing my baskets get filled so fast. They would stop their work, as though giving up, because they didn’t think they could keep up. I began by telling them that if they would just keep working and not stop so many times that they would be able to get a lot more done than they were. This only discouraged them more. Finally, I hit upon a solution. I would, now and then, pick a handfull of big, ripe berries and toss them into their basket so that they could see them fill up a little faster. This excited them and caused them to work with more determination. They approach jobs at home in much the same way. When a job looks too big, or overwhelming they tend to give up before they even start. If they are criticized or scolded for not doing it quickly enough or good enough, they are even less willing to try. However, if I work alongside of them, helping them to get the job done, encouraging them and praising them for the parts they have completed, even offering rewards (some would call them bribes) for a job well done, I can get more work and better quality work out of them.

     In amongst the drudgery of day to day routine there is a lesson to be learned. For me, the lessons about prayer, friendships, keeping up appearances and the importance of giving encouragement came while performing the yearly task of strawberry picking. What lessons we actually learn may be different for each of us depending on our particular approach to life. I tend to be a crawler or a stooper depending on the amount of time I spend each day with God. When things are going really well, I tend to forget my need for a quiet time and begin to neglect my devotions and prayers. Then the weeds spring up and I remember the Master Gardener who will keep the gardens weeded if I only allow him to do the work in me that He wants to do. Those who are wanderers, may actually miss out on some of the greatest and most meaningful blessings by searching for the greener grass, or the light at the end of the tunnel instead of taking the time to be content right where they are. Regardless, our approach needs to constantly be evaluated in light of God’s Word and His will for us as individuals, because unless we are seeking to live His way, we will all ultimately become discontent wanderers.