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…

Who do you show up for? Are there people in your life where you know showing up matters?

Who has shown up for you? Think about it and allow yourself to be thankful for those who have shown up for you.

Is there someone who you need to show up for? Maybe a family member or friend that you’ve neglected to give the gift of your presence. One of the best gifts is to show up for a loved one.

Maybe you need to show up for yourself. Have you stopped showing up for yourself by putting your life on the backburner? As we show up for others we also need to show up for ourselves and be present in our own lives.

To love is to be present. To love is to show up.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. -Colossians 3:14

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for regular encouragement.