When I was a little girl, I remember a beautiful summer day at my grandmother’s house. We spent the morning in her garden, digging up fresh potatoes. My job was to shake the dirt free and put the potatoes in our bucket.
Later, I was going to peel potatoes for the first time. I remember being excited to have such a big responsibility and to contribute to the dinner we would all share. My mother chided me a bit for my peeling technique, but my grandmother gently stepped in and reminded her that I was just learning.
That moment has stayed with me my whole life. I try to remember to give others a chance, let them develop their skills, provide motivation and step in if they need help. The lesson I learned from my sweet grandmother and the memory of her gentle voice have positively shaped my perspective on life. I hope I can be the same kind of example for others.
This message was adapted from “Powerful Lessons from the Women in Our Lives” by Liz Urban that appeared in the March 2002 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.