"Dad, can you come pick us up? Some of the girls are sneaking out and I don't think it's a good idea. I don't want to be here anymore." -me
"Sure, sugar. I'll come pick you up. No big deal."
***
"Josh? I just got in a car accident. It was totally my fault. I wasn't paying attention and I rear ended a lady who rear ended a lady who rear ended a lady. I'm freaking out." -me
"Okay. It's okay babe. These things happen. That's why we have insurance. It's no big deal."
***
"Umm, mom, I was holding the container of water upside down and it exploded all over the bathroom." -Wyatt
"It's okay, buddy. We'll grab some towels and clean it up. No big deal."
***
I was helping Wyatt clean up the giant disaster he made with the water container in the bathroom when the thought crossed my mind that when I find myself saying, "No big deal" whatever just happened truly becomes not that big a deal. Like somehow the words coming out of my mouth convince my brain that it's true.
Later I feel good about how I responded. I feel kind and giving. And whoever made the mistake feels good, too. Forgiven.
That grace, that room for errors, is so beautiful.
Now if I could just remember to give that kind of forgiveness to myself.
***
