Celebration, Dawn Schuler, Creative Activities
Before I was a mom, I worked in the communications field and fancied myself somewhat of a writer. Now, as I sit here trying to write something on the topic “Celebration” for our MOPS newsletter, I am completely at a loss for words. Seriously. I have Googled the word celebration looking for something—anything—that would spark some creative thought on this topic. Nothing.
I did find a nice quote from Maya Angelou. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.” I ruminated an embarrassing amount of time for a way to expound upon that thought. Nothing. I looked for scripture that would inspire me and you, my group of fellow moms. I couldn’t find just the right words.
Plus, I don’t know about you, but there are days when I find virtually nothing to celebrate about the preceding 12 hours anyway. Whining – nothing to celebrate. Tantrums – nope. Yes, I could go on, but that’s not uplifting.
We all have events and milestones we celebrate like birthdays, holidays, and achievements. But what else is worth celebrating on your average Wednesday afternoon?
Here’s what I’ve learned to celebrate since becoming a mom (and, believe me, these would have meant nothing to me pre-children): I celebrate the fact that my 3-year-old finally has agreed to learning to put on his own shoes. A small milestone we’ve marked with lots of silly cheering and shoe stickers on a chart in the mudroom. I celebrate the dozens of kisses my son gave me when I picked him up after Bible study recently. I celebrate that my family has had a reasonably healthy winter, with nothing more than a few minor colds.
And, I celebrate all of you and the remarkable job you are doing. God has charged us with raising these little people into respectable and respectful adults, teaching them and molding them each step of the way. Wow—what a daunting job! No wonder I had to quit my “real” job! But, seriously, each mom in this group has special gifts she will use to teach and mold her children.
I celebrate the fact that I am able to enjoy fellowship in this MOPS group. I can’t imagine my life without MOPS. I can’t imagine my life without the friendships I have made in this group. Let’s celebrate each other and the awesome job of mothering that we each tackle daily. Be sure to encourage fellow moms who may need a pick-me-up. A phone call, card, or e mail can go a long way toward making a mom friend feel appreciated. (Remember, we’re all still teaching our kids empathy, so they’re probably not going to extend that olive branch just yet.)
Well, I really wanted to offer something thought provoking or profound to this month’s newsletter. It’s just not happening. So, with that thought, I would just like to encourage each of you to celebrate the little things in life. It seems to me lately, that during my days as a mother of preschoolers, it’s the little things that matter most – to me and to my children. In the drudgery of diapers, whining and lost blankies, you have to find the silver lining—and laugh!
Finally, among my gifts is not the ability to quote scripture, but I have a verse I want to share with you. Before I do, let me share another comment I heard once that has stuck with me. Actor Tony Danza once said that the best compliment you can receive is that you have a good kid. I think more than a compliment on your hair, on your wit or your talents, this absolutely has to be the best compliment a parent can receive—and a cause to celebrate a job well done.
When I read the following scripture, I think of Tony’s comment and try to keep plugging away at the discipline and the goofy celebrations about putting on shoes. I hope you will too.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Before I was a mom, I worked in the communications field and fancied myself somewhat of a writer. Now, as I sit here trying to write something on the topic “Celebration” for our MOPS newsletter, I am completely at a loss for words. Seriously. I have Googled the word celebration looking for something—anything—that would spark some creative thought on this topic. Nothing.
I did find a nice quote from Maya Angelou. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.” I ruminated an embarrassing amount of time for a way to expound upon that thought. Nothing. I looked for scripture that would inspire me and you, my group of fellow moms. I couldn’t find just the right words.
Plus, I don’t know about you, but there are days when I find virtually nothing to celebrate about the preceding 12 hours anyway. Whining – nothing to celebrate. Tantrums – nope. Yes, I could go on, but that’s not uplifting.
We all have events and milestones we celebrate like birthdays, holidays, and achievements. But what else is worth celebrating on your average Wednesday afternoon?
Here’s what I’ve learned to celebrate since becoming a mom (and, believe me, these would have meant nothing to me pre-children): I celebrate the fact that my 3-year-old finally has agreed to learning to put on his own shoes. A small milestone we’ve marked with lots of silly cheering and shoe stickers on a chart in the mudroom. I celebrate the dozens of kisses my son gave me when I picked him up after Bible study recently. I celebrate that my family has had a reasonably healthy winter, with nothing more than a few minor colds.
And, I celebrate all of you and the remarkable job you are doing. God has charged us with raising these little people into respectable and respectful adults, teaching them and molding them each step of the way. Wow—what a daunting job! No wonder I had to quit my “real” job! But, seriously, each mom in this group has special gifts she will use to teach and mold her children.
I celebrate the fact that I am able to enjoy fellowship in this MOPS group. I can’t imagine my life without MOPS. I can’t imagine my life without the friendships I have made in this group. Let’s celebrate each other and the awesome job of mothering that we each tackle daily. Be sure to encourage fellow moms who may need a pick-me-up. A phone call, card, or e mail can go a long way toward making a mom friend feel appreciated. (Remember, we’re all still teaching our kids empathy, so they’re probably not going to extend that olive branch just yet.)
Well, I really wanted to offer something thought provoking or profound to this month’s newsletter. It’s just not happening. So, with that thought, I would just like to encourage each of you to celebrate the little things in life. It seems to me lately, that during my days as a mother of preschoolers, it’s the little things that matter most – to me and to my children. In the drudgery of diapers, whining and lost blankies, you have to find the silver lining—and laugh!
Finally, among my gifts is not the ability to quote scripture, but I have a verse I want to share with you. Before I do, let me share another comment I heard once that has stuck with me. Actor Tony Danza once said that the best compliment you can receive is that you have a good kid. I think more than a compliment on your hair, on your wit or your talents, this absolutely has to be the best compliment a parent can receive—and a cause to celebrate a job well done.
When I read the following scripture, I think of Tony’s comment and try to keep plugging away at the discipline and the goofy celebrations about putting on shoes. I hope you will too.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Comments
Post a Comment