Slam! The sippy cup lands on the table. Two giant gray-green eyes look up at me and then around the table as chubby hands start to silently clap together. On cue, everyone else in the room jubilantly applauds and cheers. This situation repeats itself about 75 times every meal in our house. Wesley, almost 15 months, is very proud of the fact that he can put his cup on the table (instead of hurl it to the floor) and receive affirmation for this difficult task. As his mother, I am the most boisterous of his supporters in all things: for the moment, gross motor skills.
I am by nature sarcastic, cynical, and quite likely to offer accolades only if I feel the accomplishment is worth my attention. The idea that every child in Little League gets a trophy has caused involuntary eye-rolling and an unladylike snort for most of my life. Not everything is worth celebrating. That’s not how life works.
Then I became a parent and realized that many, many times in life circumstances or achievements that appear to be small potatoes to the rest of the world are completely astounding and grin-inducing for the person/people to whom they happen. I have completely changed my tune and will continue to sing this new song for the rest of my life, I have a feeling, as potty-training, shoe-tying, and other monumental moments thrill me to my very soul.
I have come to believe the idea of celebrating the small stuff is not only the fruit of a good attitude, it is also biblical. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). God takes pleasure in our excitement and wants to share it with us. In addition, He places us in communities of faith where our fellow Christians can participate in our joy. So, this school year, don’t be afraid to share your accomplishments, large or small, first with God and then with all of us at UBC.
I promise I will be the first to stand beside you while clapping and cheering. Hooray!!!
Love love love this. Kids change your perspective on everything, even things you swore would never change. Great application to the collage kids as well.
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