Traditions are often inspired by moments to be remembered. We are all familiar with the big traditions of Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. Each of these emphasized in their own way by generations. Traditions can be of happiness and great joy, or likewise sorrow and pain. An experience that causes a profound emotional response, is bound to be remembered. It is out of this moment that a tradition of remembrance is conceived.
Many years ago, I found myself in a dark place. On the eve of breakup that catastrophically became the tornado of change, my life took on a veil of darkness. This disastrous event claimed so many of our needed securities. Financially I could not afford the rent on my own. My children were hurt by the consequences of change causing anxiety and alarm with every exchange. Feelings of regret and failure consumed every minute of my day. And although I knew that the relationship had been unhealthy, the tears showed remorse from the unwelcome change.
Was I not good enough? Could I not even keep my family together? What was wrong with me?
Yet, I knew God had closed the door, but the effects of change took its toll. Conversation at the dinner table was bleak and barren. There was no laughter, or jokes, no sibling rivalry for attention and no peace. Each struggling with their own emotional imbalance from the destruction. I saw my two daughters struggling, my babies hurting, but I too was suffocating. “How do I help them God? How do I overcome this?” How can I be a beacon of light when I feel that the waves are crashing around me?
I’m drowning!
It is out of this moment of dark and desperate times that unbeknown to me a tradition would be born. I called the girls to dinner and sat down like many times before. The oppressive quiet found its place, as I sat down. I was determined that today would be different. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As I filled their plates with the food provided, I let them know that today, we are going to do something different. Each of us are going to talk about the “Best part of your day”. There were only two rules. You could not pass and you could not say “nothing”. The girls although slow to engage, did not scoff at the idea. I was encouraged. I called my youngest by name and asked, “What was the best part of your day?” I was blown away by the long and detailed response. We all celebrated her best moments together. Once finished, I asked my oldest by name, “What was the best part of your day?” Her answer was simple. “This. This right now”, she said, her voice a bare whisper at best. Her tears of peace ran down her cheek. My eyes blurred with emotion. These tears were not shed from fear, or turmoil. These tears fell for peace, love, laughter and light that God had graced us with. For the first time in a long time, there was light amongst all the darkness. There was an understanding even among my children that even when things are not going according to plan, there is still plenty of good. It came from giving thanks when it would first appear that all was broken.
It has been ten years since I thought I was drowning and lived. Ten years since overcoming the darkness. Ten years since we started the “Best part of your day”. This tradition continues to be a foundation at our table. Each has their own part and we each celebrate the goodness of their day and the goodness of God. With each friend, or neighbor that graced our table, they have willingly offered up and shared the “Best part of their day” and often even adopting the tradition to be shared as a new foundation to their family.
I sit back and think. I remember that the only reason for this tradition was because my family was in a dark place-and we gave thanks. If you feel alone, be thankful for those standing beside you. If you feel like you are drowning, be thankful there are no sharks. If your afraid of the dark, be thankful for the unfailing sunrise. Tilt your head to heaven and give thanks for what you have. For that is the will of God in all things.
Psalms 150:6
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.