Do You Feel Special?

I do! I feel especially special today because today is Ryan’s (my firstborn’s) birthday. This birthday will be celebrated in what makes him happy. At some point in this day, he’ll hear his whole family (all nine of us) singing “Happy Birthday” to him followed by the “Special Plate”. We’ll have a family dinner together. That’s when everyone will take turns telling him how special he is to us! So, since it’s his day, I’ll take a step back and let you hear what he has to say about their family tradition of the Special Plate”! Maybe it’s time you and your family have special plate days, too! It is a sure confidence builder for those we love!

“People often ask me “How do you do it? How do you spend so much focused time with your family especially as you work, train for marathons, are involved in philanthropic causes and still manage for your time to be of high value and high quality?: My response? It is all about living on purpose. We tend to live in a microwave and fast-food society where we want everything immediately. But throughout my life I’ve found that enduring results and rewards come through consistently doing the right thing with consistency over a long period of time. A good family friend, Tommy Thompson, said to me when our eldest son, Braden, was just 6 years old, “You can never really have quality time with your children unless you have quantity time with them, because you never know when the quality moments will sneak up on you.” There is nothing fast or microwaveable about that.
Early on in our sons’ lives, I decided it would be important to establish traditions that would be carried through each of our children’s lives and then be passed down through generations. These traditions would build character, intelligence, values and a heritage. The traditions would also foster a high degree of self-worth and create precious moments with our children.
We have a special red plate that says, “You are special today.” It has become a significant symbol to our household. This red plate is placed where our sons sit at the table on days we decree special or significant for them. It can be a birthday, a graduation, special sporting event or accomplishment, or it could even be the day of a doctor’s appointment. When one of our boys is going to be celebrated, he comes to the table and sees the plate in his spot. Immediately, a smile brightens his face because he knows that this morning is his morning. He will get his favorite breakfast and everyone in the family will take turns telling him why he is special to them. Watching our youngest son wait in anticipation as his older brothers talk about how important, valued and unique he is, creates a sense of confidence and great worth in him. These moments cannot be replaced or overvalued. Even my wife, Shawntel, and I have come to be excited when we even see the red plate at our spot at the table. There is rarely a red plate day without tears of joy.
As a parent, it is vitally important to develop habits that will keep us on purpose with our children. The red plate is an easy way for us to focus on their accomplishments and joys of each of our uniquely special children. Over the years, I passed this tradition on to many of my friends and families. They now use it as their own and it has been rewarding to hear their positive stories that accompany this tradition that has been established in their family. This tradition has created such incredible reward for our children and for us as parents throughout the years.”
Now, back to a few words from Mama. Maybe you weren’t that kid that ever felt loved and made to feel special – never mind even having a special plate. Today is your day, too – even though it may not be your birthday! Please let me remind you that you are not a product of a big bang theory. You are a masterpiece, handcrafted and placed here by Almighty God for this time and this place. Know how special you are to Him. Know that you matter and you are loved so much that you are never alone, because God is with you and He says these words to you today: “Oh the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Own it. Own that you are God’s beloved son or daughter and this is the day the Lord has made so rejoice and be glad for it. God chose you and loves you and YOU ARE SPECIAL.

I do! I feel especially special today because today is my firstborn’s birthday. This birthday will be celebrated in what makes him happy. In just a couple of hours we’ll be traveling to San Antonio for his son’s baseball tournament. He wouldn’t miss it. There is nothing that is more special than cheering our kids on. At some point in this day, he’ll hear his whole family (all nine of us) singing “Happy Birthday” to him followed by the “Special Plate”. We’ll be back home this evening to have a family dinner together. That’s when everyone will get to tell him how special he is to them! So, since it’s his day, I’ll take a step back and let you hear what he has to say about their family tradition of “The Special Plate”! Maybe it’s time you and your family have special plate days, too! It is sure a confidence builder to those we love!

“People often ask me “How do you do it? How do you spend so much focused time with your family especially as you work, train for marathons, are involved in philanthropic causes and still manage for your time to be of high value and high quality?: My response? It is all about living on purpose. We tend to live in a microwave and fast-food society where we want everything immediately. But throughout my life I’ve found that enduring results and rewards come through consistently doing the right thing with consistency over a long period of time. A good family friend, Tommy Thompson, said to me when our eldest son, Braden, was just 6 years old, “You can never really have quality time with your children unless you have quantity time with them, because you never know when the quality moments will sneak up on you.” There is nothing fast or microwaveable about that.

Early on in our sons’ lives, I decided it would be important to establish traditions that would be carried through each of our children’s lives and then be passed down through generations. These traditions would build character, intelligence, values and a heritage. The traditions would also foster a high degree of self-worth and create precious moments with our children.

We have a special red plate that says, “You are special today.” It has become a significant symbol to our household. This red plate is placed where our sons sit at the table on days we decree special or significant for them. It can be a birthday, a graduation, special sporting event or accomplishment, or it could even be the day of a doctor’s appointment. When one of our boys is going to be celebrated, he comes to the table and sees the plate in his spot. Immediately, a smile brightens his face because he knows that this morning is his morning. He will get his favorite breakfast and everyone in the family will take turns telling him why he is special to them. Watching our youngest son wait in anticipation as his older brothers talk about how important, valued and unique he is, creates a sense of confidence and great worth in him. These moments cannot be replaced or overvalued. Even my wife, Shawntel, and I have come to be excited when we even see the red plate at our spot at the table. There is rarely a red plate day without tears of joy.

As a parent, it is vitally important to develop habits that will keep us on purpose with our children. The red plate is an easy way for us to focus on their accomplishments and joys of each of our uniquely special children. Over the years, I passed this tradition on to many of my friends and families. They now use it as their own and it has been rewarding to hear their positive stories that accompany this tradition that has been established in their family. This tradition has created such incredible reward for our children and for us as parents throughout the years.”

Now, back to a few words from Mama. Maybe you weren’t that kid that ever felt loved and made to feel special – never mind even having a special plate. Today is your day, too – even though it may not be your birthday! Please let me remind you that you are not a product of a big bang theory. You are a masterpiece, handcrafted and placed here by Almighty God for this time and this place. Know how special you are to Him. Know that you matter and you are loved so much that you are never alone, because God is with you and He says these words to you today: “Oh the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Own it. Own that you are God’s beloved son or daughter and this is the day the Lord has made so rejoice and be glad for it. God chose you and loves you and YOU ARE SPECIAL.