Schlep Naches

Schlep naches is a Yiddish phrase that means “deriving pleasure from the achievement of others.”  In her book, The Myths of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomisrsky wrote:
The surprising finding is that the closest, most intimate, and most trusting relationships appear to be distinguished not by how the partners respond to each other’s disappointments, losses, and reversals but how they react to good news. Flourishing relationships have been revealed to be those in which the couple responds “actively and constructively”—that is, with interest and delight—to each other’s windfalls and successes  .  . . Both men and women who say that their partners respond in this “active-constructive” way report the highest levels of satisfaction, trust, and intimacy in their relationships.

​Meditation
2 Samuel 6:21-22--David replied to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more and humiliate myself. I will be honored by the slave girls you spoke about.”
 
King David returned to Jerusalem dancing to celebrate the successful return of the sacred ark of God from Baale-judah.  On a day of rejoicing, his wife, Michal, derided his actions with sarcasm and scorn. Her criticism revealed her heart. A failed relationship resulted in her barrenness until death (6:20,23).  
            
To gain pleasure from what others accomplish is a sign of a healthy heart. To share in another’s success with words of support and praise is a sure path to building stronger relationships. It reveals security instead of envy and care instead of ambivalence. It builds upon triumph, becoming “the gift that keeps on giving!”

When the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from their paired outreach mission, they expressed joy to God’s Son for the power they experienced through His name (Luke 10:1-17). Jesus did not say, “Oh, you did okay, but trust Me, you have a long way to go.”  Nor did He chide, “Well, what did you expect? My name IS powerful.” Luke records, “In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure” (10:21). Knowing Jesus’ joy in their accomplishments, how great His followers must have felt. 

Beware of sticking pins in others’ balloons. If you want to have strong relationships, apply affirmation.  Choosing silence, criticism, or fixating on blemishes is a quick way to poverty. It turns gold to dust and spoils occasions.  Employ schlep naches and experience a deeper love!
 
Inspiration 
“We’re all bound up in who won the game, how much our new car cost, the taxes we owe, or the squabbling in the church.  We miss the pure joy of celebrating the work of God in the lives of people.”—Phil Downer in Eternal Impact

©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)