If you are like me, you’ve celebrated every big event your kids have had.   Whether it is first day of high school, getting their temps, high school graduation or any other thing that they’ve worked hard for, you probably have pictures galore to show for the celebration–balloons, gifts, or maybe, food and friends made it a special event.  It is total excitement to watch our kids achieve a milestone setting them on a path toward success and independence.

You know the time is coming, you anxiously plan the special day, and as a mom, you are beaming with pride looking at what God is accomplishing in your child’s life.

But do you celebrate or find ways to bless in the little things?

If you will, let me elaborate a little bit here to give you a glimpse of what I’m talking about.

God has allowed a roller coaster of emotion for me this week.  I’ve cried more, laughed more, prayed more, hugged more, and contemplated more than I have ever done in such a short amount of time.  And in the midst of it all God seems to be telling me how faithful he has been.

My youngest son called me this week to let me know that he had finished his last final for the semester.  We celebrated his freedom from studies for the summer over the phone.  Did I communicate more about how proud I was of his hard work at school or did I focus more on what he needs to get done to get himself settled back home for the summer?

My second son spent his Saturday helping us move furniture–and it was an all-day job.  Did I communicate how much we appreciated his sacrifice of time and energy?  Did I also let his wife know how thankful we were that she was willing to let him help us rather than what she might have wanted him to do?

My oldest son and his wife announced that we’re going to be grandparents this year!  Will I be the a know-it-all mother giving unsolicited advice or will I be there to support the decisions they make and interject only when asked?  Will I encourage them and ask permission to be involved at the level I desire giving them the option to set boundaries without getting upset?

My daughter made a really wise but difficult decision this week–one that has taken her a while to make.  Will I encourage her as she moves in a new direction applauding the baby steps or will I push her to do the things I think make the most sense?

My husband has worked hard physically and emotionally this week as we’ve made some difficult transitions.  Will I encourage him to rest and move forward slowly or will I dump my feelings and frustrations on him along with my to-do list in an effort to relieve my own transition stress?

Yes, celebrating the milestones is important, but sometimes we need to take stock of the little achievements in life and celebrate in a way that blesses those around us–that includes our own milestones.

• Did you pause before responding in anger?
• Did you see your teen do something positive and let her know that you noticed?
• Did you communicate “thanks” to your tween when typically you would have remained silent?
• Did you applaud the baby steps for trying, even if your teen failed?
• Have you looked your teen in the eye recently and told them 5 things that you are thankful for about them?

We are the relationship architects in our homes and what we pay attention to grows!

Dare you to join me in trying to celebrate the little things in life and heap blessing on those around us.  If we do, our relationships will blossom and our kids, our friends, and our husbands will know that we respect them as capable human beings created by God.

Ephesians 2:10

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared beforehand so that we might walk in them.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

“Let go…and let God”,