February is a good month to “just show up!”

The Power of Showing Up
My five-year-old granddaughter was getting her first award at school. My husband and I
left early in the morning to be there when she was awarded her prized “Knowledgeable”
award. As the kids walked in their lines very orderly she noticed us and her smile and
excitement were clearly felt. I knew I had made the right decision to get up early and
make the drive through traffic to be there.
I could see her while in her seat pointing and telling her friends, “That’s my grandma!
That’s my grandma!” We waited through the hoopla of a school assembly and listened
to many of the other grades student awards, and then her name was finally called. My
heart jumped as I saw her run to accept her kindergarten award. I thought to myself,
This will be the first of many.
After all the names were called, and all the awards handed out, they called all the
recipients to the stage for pictures and last acknowledgements. While all the other kids
stood on stage like soldiers at attention holding their awards up with pride my little
granddaughter smiled and waved at us not caring that she was “out of sync” with the
other students. She was waving at us with a giant grin—her body stretched out and her
arm as high as she could place it—happily waving wildly and smiling and giggling. The
joy was contagious and my heart was filled with joy and pride.
It mattered to her that we were there. Showing up had a powerful affect that day. All we
did was show up but that simple act mattered, and it mattered in a big way.
There have been times in my life where the mere presence of another person was so
distinctly powerful, and those memories have imprinted deeply in my heart.
Like…
When my husband was in the hospital the day he had his heart attack seeing my
daughter walk up from the parking lot of the ER was one of the most emotional
moments in my life. It mattered a great deal to me that she showed up.
My friend Priscilla dropping everything and showing up in my husband’s ER room with
snacks and water and support. Staying to help me be calm and help with critical
discissions even though I know how much she dislikes hospitals and doctors’ offices. “A
friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17). That friendship and that gift of her presence
mattered greatly to me on that day.
Friends and family coming to the hospital when my kids were born to share in our
delight were enormous gifts to me. It still matters today as I think back on it.
Showing up is so simple and yet it means way more than the simple act given.
Think about your own life…