By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

He was struggling mightily in his attempts to learn karate. The problem was not his athletic prowess or his ability to learn the skills. His problem was himself. He was his own worst critic and he was brutal.

I felt sorry for him, really. He didn't enjoy the classes, always felt that he was behind the others, and was extremely self-conscious. At 15 years old, he had worked himself through the first two belts but his progress had slowed measurably.

One day, during an outdoor practice session, I called him aside and said, "I've been watching you practice and I need to say something to you." I could tell that he was expecting a stern rebuke. He may have even have thought that he was about to be bounced from the class.

I continued, "I've been in karate since 1965 and, since the early 1970s, have taught hundreds of students. A number of those have been promoted to black belt and some even have their own schools now. I pretty well know who has the 'right stuff' and who isn't going to be able to hack it."

He hung his head and stared at the ground.

"I know talent and ability," I shared, "and here is what I need to say to you." With that, he visibly braced himself. I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "You are better than you think you are." I then walked away.

Since I turned my back on him, I don't know how he took that news. All I know is that, in the coming weeks, he blossomed. His basics, his patterns, and his fighting skills all experienced a remarkable improvement. By the time he graduated from high school, he had been promoted to brown belt, just one step shy of receiving the coveted black belt. All he needed was a word of encouragement.

Dr. Laurie Thompson, Dean of the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry in Ambridge, Penn., calls people who share such words of encouragement "balcony people," a phrase he borrowed from Keith Miller. These are the people who want others to succeed and are cheering them on from the sidelines (or from the balcony). I have a number of people like this in my life.

Helen Doukas is a "balcony person." Mrs. Doukas is a Greek Orthodox believer who moved from Maryland to Georgia in the recent past to be with members of her family. She looks much younger than her 84 years. Every time that she is in worship services at our church, which is nearly every week, she always makes a point of stopping at the door on her way out to tell me what a great sermon I preached that day and how much she appreciates and values me.

Now I know that I don't always preach great sermons and I am aware that, as a public person, my faults are out there for all to see (for example, I tend to say "yallow," Instead of "yellow). I sometimes go a bit long and I'm not the best looking or the most intelligent pastor in the community. Yet, Mrs. Doukas loves me and encourages me regardless. I think I preach better when she is present, and I am always lifted by her encouragement. She is, for me, a "balcony person."

Jereme De Leo, a seminary student from Newnan, preached his first sermon at St. Matthew's Church, a mission of our congregation, a few weeks ago. He did a great job but, by the body language of the small congregation nd the compliments that he received following the service, you would have thought that Billy Graham had come to Hogansville. Why?

Because nearly the entire church was populated by "balcony people." These folks paid attention, sat on the edge of their seats, leaned forward, said "Amen" at appropriate times, and gave smiles and nods of agreement. He responded beautifully and interacted with the congregation during the sermon. He knew that he was being received and appreciated. "Balcony people" can help you to get farther than you think you can go.

The Apostle Paul had a falling out with young John Mark in the Book of Acts. Evidently, John Mark had failed to measure up in some way. Paul wanted nothing more to do with him. Barnabus (whose name means "encouragement") saw some in John Mark, however, and took the young man under his wing. Years passed as Barnabus poured his life into John Mark. Near the end of his life, the aged Paul, in prison and in the shadow of his execution, wrote to Timothy, "Be diligent to come to me quickly. Get John Mark and bring him with you, for his is useful to be in the ministry" (2 Timothy 3:9,11 NKJV). What a difference a "balcony person" made in the life of a youthful failure.

The world is full of nay-sayers and spreaders of discouragement. It is all too easy to find fault and to identify problems. "Balcony people" seem to be in short supply but their influence is sorely needed. They can, by their words, change lives and destinies. There are plenty of people who are willing to tell us how we fail to measure up. But all of us need people around us who believe in us and who help us believe that "we are better than we think we are."

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church in the Coweta/Fayette County area. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or at www.ctkcec.org.]

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