Gifts in the New Year

   The season of Epiphany brings with it the new year. The kings came bearing gifts and the new year comes with unknown gifts as well. It is as good a time as any to reflect on what gifts I can bring to my church and my family this year. I read that if you write down your goals there is a much greater chance of accomplishing your goals. And so I did. Most of my goals are personal, but one I will admit to is that I will try to pay more compliments than I usually do. Now I am not going to fawn over anyone, I don’t think I would know how. I will only pay compliments that are sincere. I have come to realize that often in the rush of daily life I don’t pause to comment on a job well done.

   Everyone appreciates being appreciated. My children do very well at many things. I’ve come to expect a high standard in anything to which they set their hands or minds. Sometimes I forget to be thrilled at their hard work. Most times I feel very satisfied, but don’t mention it. This year I am going to try to be more vocal. I assume they know how proud I am of them, but just in case they missed my nod of approval, I will make the effort to state it to them very clearly.

   When they were little we had a dinner plate we called the “Good Job” plate. The plate had the words “Good Job” printed on it, hence the name. Whenever someone did an extra good job at school, or home, or music lessons they were served dinner on the “Good Job” plate. Whenever someone worked hard on a project, no matter the outcome, they would get the “Good Job” plate. The plate was a sincere acknowledgement of hard work. It was not used every night. It might be pulled out once or twice a month. At dinner that night everyone would hear what deed warranted the “Good Job” plate.

   As the kids have turned into teens the plate has lost some of its wonder. This year I will try to find a replacement for attesting to good deeds done and hard won achievements. Celebrating the accomplishments of life and the milestones of life are worth doing and add joy to the day to day. The bible tells us to give thanks at all times. We have to acknowledge the good things around us in order to give thanks. I think the “good job” plate helped.

   As parents we should all find a way to acknowledge the successes of your children, small or large. Make sincere compliments not made up ones. If you are with your children and involved in their lives you will know what is a big accomplishment for them and what needs to be noticed. We are so often worried with correcting that we might forget to remember the steps forward. God has blessed us with so very much and we need to be thankful of it.

Happy New Year,

Michelle