Celebrate the Assist

I was recently playing a game of pick-up basketball with a group of middle school boys. We broke into two teams of three and began to dribble, pass and shoot. It did not take long to realize the "ball hog" pattern of the kids we were playing with. My friend and I were quick to pass the ball and take the shot when we saw fit, but the boys each clung to the ball through the entire play.  

After we had been playing for awhile, one of the boys made a strategic pass to his teammate and they scored. I was quick to celebrate his assist even more than the point that was scored. I thought to myself... "Perhaps that is key: celebrate the assist." We are always celebrating the scorer, but how often are we celebrating the individual and the action it took to make the play possible? The world is quick to highlight the quarterback with the best statistics, but what about the lineman that provided the coverage?

This is true on our sports team, but also in our work places, churches, family and friend groups. What is happening behind the scenes that we could be missing entirely? When we get caught up in the product of success, we can forget the building blocks that provided the foundation of success. Let us be people that proactively offer encouragement rather than making those around us strive for affirmation. Let us be people who seek to SEE others rather than BE SEEN ourselves.