More Than a Cheerleader

I’ve been thinking lately about what a wonderful thing it is to have someone believe in you--believe in your talents and abilities, your dreams, your potential. Many a mother and dad has said something like, “Son, you can be anything that you want to be.” But not all parents go much beyond cheering their child on with,

“You can do it, Yes you can, If you can’t do it, Nobody can!”

My mom was (and still is) an excellent cheerleader for her children, but she was much more than just that as we were growing up. My mom was a great believer in getting involved in what her kids wanted to do, so that they could more fully explore their potential and learn from their experiences.

It was the mid-1960’s. In our family of four siblings there were three groups: Ken (the oldest son), Jean (the only girl), and the little boys (myself and my younger brother, John). John and I were separated in age by two years, just like each of the siblings, but we were grouped together--shared the same room, played together, fought together and grew up together. In fact, when we fought with each other, one of the most effective punishments that my parents could give us was to separate us--we couldn’t stand being apart.

It was during this time that John and I made one of our first attempts to go into business for ourselves when we decided to start a Kool-aid stand. Mom agreed to not only let us, but agreed to be our wholesale supplier. She figured out what it would cost to make the Kool-aid and charged us for the materials (at her cost or below I’m sure, and she probably threw in the first half gallon for free to get us started).

As part of our marketing effort, John and I came up with a catchy jingle we could sing as potential customers came into range. We even enlisted the assistance of a neighborhood girl. We convinced her to ride her bike around the block singing our jingle for free:

“Kool-aid, Kool-aid taste great,
Get it here at 208 . . . Meeker Street, that is!”

Undaunted by a less than enthusiastic response from the community--sales were slow--before long we were looking into expanding our menu. We negotiated with our supplier, M.O.M., and were able to add cupcakes to our menu, at a minimal expense to ourselves. As John reminded me in a recent conversation, Mom only charged us for the cost of materials and threw in the cost of production (her labor, equipment costs, cost for electricity) for free.

It was great working with such a supportive supplier who was so willing to help us meet the changing needs of our expanding market. For example, one day we had a gentleman come by the stand. We asked if he would like to purchase some Kool-aid. He said that he really didn’t want any Kool-aid, but he would take a hamburger if we had one. After a quick negotiation with Mom, we produced a hamburger for the man. Another sale saved by the quick response of our supplier!

As you can see, things did get a little out of hand, but Mom was tireless in her support, helping us to succeed, or at least, helping us to learn while trying. I don’t know how many days this enterprise went on, but it did make a lasting impression on both John and myself. Especially how Mom showed us that supporting someone’s dream often involves a little more than just cheering them on. It means getting involved to help make it happen. But that was the type of mother we had growing up and that’s the type of person she is to this day.

So, of course, I would relate that to how God is always there pulling for us to succeed. And not only that, but He supplies all of our needs. What a blessing to know a God who is for us and not against us!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 31:8 (NKJ)