As young children, my siblings and I had a season of life where we fought over everything red.
Red cups.
Red plates.
Red bowls.
You name it...We fought over it.
Because it reminded us of this plate.
The red "You are Special Today" plate.
It was a plate that circulated every birthday of ours, or at the celebration of major milestones. And when we got to eat off of it, we indeed felt the words it proclaims.
We felt special.
Unique. Gifted. Celebrated.
My toddler recently learned about this "You are Special Today" plate.
And now, when helping set the dinner table he'll ask with earnest wonder "red plate please, Mommy?"
And it got me thinking.
What if each time we gathered around the table, we spent intentional time uplifting the unique gifts, celebrations, and special qualities of those whom we sit among.
What if we named how our infants beaming smile and generous laughs bring joy and wonder to our weary days.
Or how our toddlers ever expanding imagination helps invite us into a new way of relating to one another and the world around us.
What if part of our dinner conversations revolved around sharing with one another why indeed they are special, and in what ways they've lived that out in our midst that day.
What if we took intentional time to give voice to the myriad of ways in which our family members and friends are indeed special today.
So perhaps, that is your invitation.
To find intentional space as you gather around your tables today. Share with those gathered, or call up family members you haven't been able to see in awhile, or send a text, Instagram, or snap chat to a friend or neighbor.
Share with others that they are indeed special today, and how their presence, gifts, perspective, voice, imagination, joy, have blessed you and the world God so loves.