Have you ever had someone see something in you before you could see it in yourself?
I can still remember people throughout my life who believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
Sometimes all it took was one encouraging word.
One opportunity.
One person who said, "I think you can do this."
Other times, the motivation came from someone saying, "That has never been done."
Apparently, I'm just stubborn enough to hear those words and think, "Well... maybe it's time someone tried."
Whether someone encouraged me or challenged me, those moments often pushed me beyond what I thought I could do. Looking back, they changed me far more than I realized at the time.
Robin Sharma writes about bringing out the greatness in others. I love that idea because I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is helping them discover what they're capable of becoming.
Sometimes people don't need someone to fix them.
They simply need someone to believe in them.
Why Seeing Potential Matters
Everyone Has Gifts
One of the reasons I fell in love with Montessori education is because it recognizes that every child is unique.
Children don't all learn the same way.
They don't all develop at the same pace.
They don't all have the same strengths.
And that's exactly the way God designed them.
I've often thought adults need that reminder too.
Every person has gifts.
Sometimes they've simply forgotten they have them.
Sometimes life has convinced them they don't.
People Often Borrow Our Belief Until They Find Their Own
I've watched children accomplish things they were convinced they couldn't do.
Not because someone did the work for them...
But because someone encouraged them to keep trying.
Adults aren't much different.
Sometimes we just need someone to say,
"I believe in you."
"I know you can do this."
"Don't give up yet."
Those simple words have the power to change the direction of a life.
Potential Is Everywhere
I've learned that if you look for people's faults, you'll always find them.
But if you look for their potential...
You'll find that too.
The difference is where you choose to focus.
Seeing potential doesn't mean ignoring mistakes or pretending weaknesses don't exist.
It means believing that today doesn't have to determine tomorrow.
People grow.
People learn.
People change.
Sometimes all they need is someone willing to believe they can.
Your Challenge for the Week
| Focus | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Call Out Strengths | Tell someone what you see in them that they may not yet recognize in themselves. | Encouragement often unlocks confidence. |
| Look Beyond Today | Instead of judging someone by where they are today, imagine who they could become. | Builds patience, hope, and compassion. |
| Invest in Growth | Spend time helping someone develop a skill instead of simply doing it for them. | Confidence grows when people discover what they can accomplish themselves. |
People often rise when someone genuinely believes they can.
Be that person.
A Lesson I've Learned
One of the greatest joys of my life has been watching people grow.
I've seen shy children become confident leaders.
I've seen struggling readers become avid learners.
I've watched teachers discover gifts they didn't know they possessed.
And I've experienced that kind of growth in my own life.
Many people would probably be surprised to learn that I was extremely shy for most of my life. Even becoming a greeter at church made me nervous. Walking up to people and saying hello didn't come naturally to me.
But I kept doing it.
Little by little, saying hello became easier.
Eventually, I found myself welcoming people with a hug as they walked through the doors.
I'm still growing. I still have moments when I feel shy. But I'm no longer afraid of people the way I once was.
That experience has reminded me that potential isn't something we see only in others.
We must also be willing to see it in ourselves.
We are not limited by who we have been.
God continues to shape us into who He created us to become.
Those moments help me understand why I do what I do.
The truth is...
I've never really been in the business of childcare.
Or education.
Or fundraising.
I've always been in the business of helping people discover who God created them to be.
And honestly...
I believe that's something every one of us is called to do.
Final Thought
This week, look at people a little differently.
Instead of asking,
"What are they doing wrong?"
Ask,
"What is possible for them?"
And while you're asking that question about others...
Ask it about yourself too.
God isn't finished with you yet.
You may be the one person who sees something in someone that changes the direction of their life.
Never underestimate the power of believing in another person.
Sometimes your belief becomes the bridge that helps them discover their own.
References
- Sharma, Robin. The Everyday Hero Manifesto. HarperCollins, 2021.
- Montessori, Maria. The Absorbent Mind.
- Maxwell, John C. Developing the Leader Within You.
- Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
Remember... life isn't changed by one big decision. It's changed by the little decisions we make every day. Today's small choices become tomorrow's legacy. So choose wisely, love deeply, keep learning, and keep growing. Until next Monday, have a wonderful week... and keep building your legacy, one small choice at a time.