As we continue to adventure learning about different characteristics that help form
courageous leaders we will gain insight from the experiences of Tigger. Tigger, is the last
character to come live in the 100 Acre Woods. Readers are introduced to Tigger when
reading “The House at Pooh Corner” chapter two where he first meets Pooh. The two of them
try to figure out what it is that Tigger will eat. Rightfully so, Piglet is afraid that Tiggers eat
small animals but readers know that Tigger tries honey, acorns, and thistles to no avail.
Eventually, they meet up with Kanga and Roo. Kanga offers Tigger some of Roo’s
strengthening medicine which Tigger finds delightful and this is what he eats. It is how
Tigger begins to learn important things about himself. One instance of him becoming self-
aware. Tigger possesses self-confidence so much so that he believes he can do things that are
harder than he realizes. Believing in his abilities Tigger tells Roo that he is able to climb trees
even better than Pooh. Perhaps you can guess what happens, it leads to Tigger and Roo
getting stuck in a tree.
Christopher Robin and the rest of the friends catch Roo as he jumps out of the tree and
they break Tigger’s fall at the bottom of the tree once he begins his tumble down. Tigger
learns climbing trees and then getting back down isn’t as easy as he thought it was. Because
Tigger has self-confidence he bounces a lot. Sometimes the other animals have negative
happenings when Tigger unintentionally bounces into them. Eeyore ended up in the stream
one time because of a Tigger bounce. This leads to Rabbit determining that Tigger is too
disruptive for life at the 100 Acre Wood. Rabbit hatches a plan for Piglet and Pooh to join
Rabbit in leading Tigger out into the deep woods and leaving him there. As you might
imagine this plan does not happen as Rabbit envisions and the only ones that get lost are
Rabbit, Piglet, and Pooh. Ultimately, it is Tigger that goes back into the woods to find Rabbit
and get him back home.
This is an important reminder that even those who bounce and seem out of control
much of the time are still able to use self-control and contribute to the community in
meaningful and helpful ways. I love the reminder found in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God didn’t give
us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” Tigger
demonstrates these attributes when going back into the woods to find Rabbit. Especially what
it means to be compassionate and loving. Tigger sums this up when he says, “Life is not
about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce.” A well-rounded
bounce needs a toolbox full of many gifts that help a person negotiate difficult challenges.
The writer of Galatians 5:22-24 shares the fruits of the Spirit and that these characteristics
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
belong to those who are followers of Christ Jesus.
Having these gifts and choosing to live a life like the one that was modeled by Jesus
we will also choose to “not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each
other.” To do this a person must exercise self-awareness. It is important to know when we are
experiencing feelings like arrogance, anger, and jealousy. By naming these emotions a person
becomes better equipped to make choices that exhibit the least amount of harm. Choices that
come from a place of non-violence which is central to the teachings of Christ. These choices
should demonstrate the skill of self-control. This doesn’t mean arrogance, anger, and jealousy
are “bad” emotions. Instead, they are the emotions which guide us to places of reflection so
that self-awareness can be strengthened while self-control is being developed.
Tigger has some other important advice for leadership development, “Being different
isn’t a bad thing. It means you are brave enough to be yourself.” So, it seems the fruits of the
Spirit are meant to be put into action with each of our unique approaches to the world. Our
sermon series on the 100 Acre Wood reminds us that while we are called to embrace our
difference this doesn’t mean we do things alone. Just like our friends in the 100 Acre Wood
adventures and difficult situations are best done together. Divine God is with us, has come
before us, and will remain after us. Another reason this should be our foundational healthy
relationship. This leaves one final Tigger quote, “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Never, no
never. Your friendship is the best present ever.” This is how Divine God feels about each of
us and how we should feel about one another. As we are constantly invited into relationship
with our Creator may we choose it believing there is nothing we would trade it for.
Let us hear once again the prayer found in 1 Peter 4:7-11 and may it guide us to focus
on strategies for self-awareness that will lead us to exercise both thought and self-control
when we interacting with challenging situations and people experiencing need.
“The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you
can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the
forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve
each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse
gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should
do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored
through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.”
