Favorite Part of the Oscars

 I was quite ill this weekend, down for the count with some kind of yucky virus, but nothing will keep me from watching the Academy Awards.  With lots of press about all the creative changes that were planned, I was eager to see what the new producers had designed.  I would give some of the adjustments a thumbs up, some a yawn, and some a big question mark.  But my absolutely favorite change came when the major acting awards were presented.
      When five previous winners of these awards walked out together, framed by gorgeous photographs of their previous work, I already had goosebumps.  Then when each actor spoke directly to one nominee apiece, looking that individual right in the awe and ennobling them with carefully crafted words of affirmation, I sensed I was witnessing a powerful moment.  For an actor to hear directly from a peer - someone they hold in extremely high regard and someone who truly gets it in terms of the skills required to act - was the highest possible gift.  This was confirmed by the shots of the eyes of each actor as they listened intently, many with tears in their eyes.  I know it took a great deal of time.  But in my view, it was time well spent.
      For those of us in ministry, we must never underestimate the power of our words spoken into the eyes of someone we lead and want to affirm.  We must be careful to avoid the easy and casual phrases like "Good job!" that have so lost their meaning and become weak and wimpy.  To think through precisely how a person has contributed, and then to express appreciation with fresh words and images, looking straight at the individual, is the greatest gift we can impart as well.  That's good to know when the economy restrains most of us from being able to hand out a financial bonus!
      I can't wait to see if next year's Oscars ceremony continues to build on this new practice of honoring actors.  I truly hope they keep this one change, at least for awhile.  If I were an actor, nothing could mean more, especially if I were one of the four nominees who did not receive the actual award.  What did you think about the program this year?