A Gold Star as a Gift of Grace

“You deserve a gold star,” I said.

Using my index finger, I traced a star on her forearm.

She laughed.

I smiled.

Grace extended.

Mission accomplished.

What does a gold star mean?

As a child in school, I loved receiving a returned assignment with a gold star sticker at the top of the first page.

Some teachers handed them out as encouragement, others to indicate they’d recorded the grade.

Other teachers used them to score tests.

Whatever.

It acknowledged work well done (or at least finished!).

Many have used gold star stickers on a chart to keep our kids on track for their goals.

We put them on Christmas trees to sparkle with excitement.

A star of unknown color, of course, announced Jesus’ birth.

They make people smile–especially if they’re unexpected.

But why?

Everyone needs encouragement.

Years ago, I felt God telling me I needed to be thankful–for all the people who help me all the time.

In that particular case, I was traveling and I knew I needed to acknowledge the grace given me.

Someone would hand me a receipt, I’d wait, and when they looked up, I met their eyes and thanked them.

I’ve long been surprised at how grateful people are when someone acknowledges them, their work, or their effort.

It’s important.

I give out a metaphorical gold star when I can see someone trying to do well by their customers, strangers, or anyone else.

People always seem surprised to be recognized.

Which is why I do it.

Encouraging anyway?

Anyone who needs encouragement, or who has done something out of character for the good of another, deserves a gold star.

In my opinion.

Over the weekend, I stood on a beautiful patio, dressed in my elegant clothes, talking to a casual acquaintance dressed in a tuxedo.

He’s had a difficult couple of years, had too many disappointments, yet continues to wear a cheerful, encouraging countenance.

As he described his efforts to put a meaningful life back together after so many drastic changes, my heart melted in compassion.

From high-flying society, he’s now managing young children in a small town far, far, from his origins.

I nodded, marveling, and then stretched out my hand. “You deserve a gold star,” and scratched one out quickly on his expensive suit arm.

His face completely changed, startled into a wide grin.

“I’ll take it.”

Little children, adult men, tired mothers, harried teachers, hardworking clerks, my good husband.

All gold star receipients know they’re being acknowledged for doing something hard–who deserve thanks, but mostly grace.

I’m having a lot of fun metaphorically handing them out!

How to draw a gold star

Using my index finger, I reach out and draw the shape of a star on the forearm, just below the shoulder.

Here’s a description how (in this case, using a paper and pencil, but you can figure out the strategy!)

Since it’s invisible, no one can see how sloppy or accurate it is, anyway. (!)

It’s the thought that counts.

We live in a world that seldom seems to reward the small victories–whether of character, choice, action, or words.

I suppose you could bestow happy faces, but I find the star works better.

Easy. Simple, Full of grace and laughter. Unexpected.

Yet every “gold star” I’ve bestowed has caught folks off guard, but made them smile.

Someone noticed.

Someone acknowledged–whatever needed acknowledging about them.

A gold star always encourages.

Why not try handing a few out yourself?

Oh, why stop at a few?

Be generous!

Tweetables

Handing out metaphorical gold stars–for grace and encouragement. Click to Tweet

Why hand out a gold star to a stranger? Click to Tweet

In a slightly different vein:

Retail outlets encourage customers to rate their products the same way.

(Please, if you like a writer’s work, rate their books on sites like Amazon, Goodreads, the book publisher’s sites, or anywhere else you buy them. It really does make a difference in their ability to be published again! Anything, including a negative review, helps!)