The Hope QuotientSample

Howard G. Hendricks, known by his students as “Prof,” died at age ninety after decades of teaching many of this generation’s greatest communicators. He encouraged one student by writing at the top of his paper, “This is great, Chuck. Someday you will write.” Chuck did write, with millions of copies of books now in print. “Prof” planted the idea of what Chuck Swindoll could become.

But Hendricks would not have become “Prof” without Miss Noe. Hendricks was raised by his grandmother after his parents split up. He described himself as “a hell-raiser.” His fifth-grade teacher called him “the worst behaved child in this school.” 

His sixth-grade teacher, Miss Noe, saw him on the first day of school sitting with his arms folded. She studied him for a moment and said, “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Hendricks thought, Here we go again. Then Miss Noe said, “but I don’t believe a word of it.”

Hendricks called that moment “a fundamental turning point, not only in my education but in my life. Suddenly, unexpectedly, someone believed in me. For the first time in my life, someone saw potential in me.” 

Fifth grade had been the worst year of his life. Sixth grade became the best. Miss Noe called out what Howard could become. In future years, Prof did the same with thousands of his own students.

·  When a teacher focuses on what a student can become, the student’s future is liberated from the past.

·  When a business focuses on what it can become, new and exciting opportunities can be pursued.

·  When a church focuses on what it can become, fresh vision can finally lead to a better future.

·  When an out-of-shape weekend warrior focuses on what he can become, he will have the energy to get into shape.

When any of us finally start focusing on what we can become, rather than on what we are, everything changes.

Think Up:

Look at the people around you. Who can you encourage by telling them what they can become?

How can you develop a habit of asking what you or any situation can become? (Read on).