Dear Friends,

So, it seems that I’ve reached the point in life where there are simply too many things stashed in my brain. I know this is the case because some of them are leaking out. Yup - I’m forgetting things: where I left my keys, names of people I’ve known forever, words/phrases/sayings. All of it seems to be leaking out of my personal memory storage device.

I was convinced, for example, that there was an adage about imitation being the highest form of praise. Turns out that’s an adage about flattery instead of imitation.

Perhaps, though, my memory lapse has - at least in this case - improved the adage.

There are all sorts of websites that seek to define praise. I don’t know if Google has figured out that I work in the religious sector (of course the answer is Yes), but almost every result on the page defined praise from the religious perspective. So praise, as my Google results define it, is articulating our recognition that God is God; it’s giving appreciation to God for who/how God is.

When I sat down to think about defining praise, my starting place was different: I was transported to the elementary soccer field and middle/high school pool deck. (So, my memory’s not entirely shot!) “You scored a goal! Good for you!!” “Way to go FlyBoy!” “I’m so proud of you; your application was accepted!”

There is a purity to praise: It is entirely other-focused and it doesn’t include any ifs, ands or buts. Mind you, the coaching, corrections and continuing todo list will come along at some point (“Let’s work on that dribble” “What were you thinking as you dove in for the 50 Free?” “How can I help you with the todo list for starting college?”. But, in the moment of praise, all those concerns remain quiet (or at least they should, IMHO).

We praise first smiles, first words and first steps. We praise the accomplishments, the apologies and the ah-ha moments. Praise is for the other person. It’s part of - though not all of - their edification, for their “building up”.

I am not sure God needs “building up.” (Stay with me, please, I’m not that big of a heretic!) I mean, if there is anyone who’s fully formed, not in need of flattery, encouragement or applause, I’d have to say it is the Triune God. At the same time, I do think that we mere mortals need a way to articulate our recognition of who and how God is: from Friend to Teacher to Savior to Lord to Way to Presence, we need to say out loud who Jesus is (to steal from Diana Butler Bass). We need to offer praise way more than the Creator-Redeemer-Sustainer needs to receive our praise.

Do I think God appreciates our praise? Of course. Do I picture God smiling when the people of God articulate all that they recognize about God? Yes! And do I imagine God says, “So, go and do likewise?” Absolutely. Because, in the case where the Almighty is involved, I’m convinced that imitation is the highest form of praise.

See you Sunday!

Peace,

Lisa

Photo credit: Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash.