I studied religion in college, and one professor, in particular, was especially challenging. His tests were difficult, and his standards were high. Moreover, he was the most respected professor in the department.
His wisdom and dry wit gave him a certain Yoda-like quality. This impression was only enhanced by his age and a medical condition which made him dependent on a motorized scooter and microphone to teach.
In our class on John, we were assigned an exegesis paper as our final project. I immediately went to the library to get all the books I would need before the stacks were cleared out by my classmates.
I stuffed a dozen books in a sack, then proceeds to carry the sack around for a month, squeezing in reading and writing in every spare moment. I had never before worked so hard on an assignment, and I was incredibly anxious the day I turned it in.
A week or so later I visited my professors office to receive my final grade and look over my notes. I was elated to find a final grade of 98 scrolled in the corner of my well worn essay. But nothing compared to the smile he game me when he said the words ”Kena, your paper was splendid!”
That moment was a mix of relief, joy and pride. I left his office misty eyed, and I have often thought of his simple words and kind smile.
In Matthew, Jesus tells a similar story about servants of a rich man who were entrusted with gold to invest. Two of the servants were successful and received from the master loving praise: Well done, good and faithful servant!
Like the master in Jesus’s story, my professor’s words were powerful. The praise was not just critical because it was positive, but because it was earned through hard work and came from some with authority and great respect.
In our world of likes, upvotes, and comments, others are continually judging us. It’s difficult to sift through the voices and strive for the praise that matters, but it is so worth the challenge to hear words praise from someone who knows what they are talking about.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 