How many times as a child did you ask that question to your mom, dad, grandparents, teachers…? And even if you did not ask if audibly, how often did you think it? Now as an adult, how many times a day do you want to ask that question to your boss, friends, spouse, anyone around?

I have a little 5 yr old patient, K, who asks me many times during our sessions when I tell her how great she is doing, are you proud of me? I reassure her, yes K I am so proud of you. Many of my little patients just want assurance throughout our sessions that they are doing good and that I am seeing that and am proud of them.

The OT assistants who I work with do not necessarily come out and ask the question, but they come to me and ask me to read their notes and ask me about what they are doing with patients to be reassured that they are doing okay and the right things.

I find myself as an adults, a professional wanting to ask people some days are you proud of me? Did I do a good job? Is this good enough? Even today after writing a report yesterday about a patient I showed it to the other OT and I wanted feedback. I also wanted feedback about other pieces of the job since this is my first week there. But, I am not getting what I want. I am not getting the approval or the “I am proud of you” type response that I am looking for.

So…it made me think. Why do we continue to seek approval from people when the most important place to seek approval from is God? And with God, we already have His approval. And it is only with God that we can have the confidence to continue going day after day through every circumstance that may come our way. And even when we may stray a little off the path just like my little K cutting off the of the line, God is still there and He loves us and is proud of us for trusting Him allowing Him to help get us back on the path to walk the straight line.