There's a First Time for Everything

Do you record the Firsts in yours and your children's lives?  We do.  First smile...first step...first word...first day of school, etc...

What about the Seconds?  Thirds?  Forty-Sevenths?  I just think that sometimes the first time is the easy one.  It's often easy to go to school on that first day.  You're excited.  You have new school clothes and supplies.  You're eager to see your friends.  You love your first day!  What about 6 weeks down the road?  Still excited?  Still eager?  It's harder to get up and go, isn't it?

I think it's easy to go church when you're out on your own for the first time.  You're excited to be your own person and go to church as an adult.  But doesn't it get harder after awhile when you have a new life and realize that you are in charge of you and no one's there to make you go?

The first time you start a diet and exercise plan, you are gung-ho!  Yes!  Healthy!  Exercise!  Sweat!  No sugar!  Woo-Hoo!  I'm a hero!  Day fifteen?  Ugh.  Good grief.  Not seeing any difference.  Craving a Snickers.  Hating this stupid diet.  Don't want to run today.

I know the Firsts are exciting, but let's try to recognize, notice, praise, and reward those Thirds and Fifteenths and Seventy-Fourths sometimes too.  Have you thanked your husband/wife for going to work everyday?  They do it and they'll keep doing it but I'll bet they're often not excited about it.  Recognition and appreciation go a long way.  Congratulate your children for going to school on the eightieth day.  I guarantee it will spur them on to attend several days afterward with energy.

Happy Second Day of School to my children today!  Happy Twelfth Year of work to my husband!  Way to keep going after the excitement of the First wore off!