IT IS GOOD: LEARNING TO CELEBRATE WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US

Last night, as I lay in my son’s bed waiting for him to drift off to sleep, I looked around and noticed the beautiful and safe space my husband and I have created for him. Every detail of his room and play area was chosen with intention—what he likes, what he needs, what brings him joy. It may seem like a small thing to some, but being able to build an environment where our child feels loved, secure, and seen is a blessing. And it’s something worth celebrating.

The same goes for my marriage. My husband and I have been deliberate about cultivating not just our love, but also our friendship. That strong foundation reflects in the way we show up for one another daily. And honestly? That too is a blessing.

So often, we speed through life fixated on the next goal or the things we don’t yet have, instead of pausing to notice the good that’s already here. Taking time to acknowledge the blessings we’ve been given changes everything.

Recently, while reading my Bible chronologically, I was reminded of this truth. In Genesis, after each day of creation, God paused and said, “It was good.” He acknowledged His own work. The commentary I was reading pointed out that God didn’t rush past His accomplishments—He recognized them.

That made me stop and think: If God can acknowledge His good work, why do we feel guilty about acknowledging ours?

This has been a personal shift for me. I’ve started celebrating my own wins, big and small. During my PhD program, I bought myself a gift each semester I earned a 4.0. More recently, I celebrated reaching 500 subscribers on YouTube. Those little celebrations fueled me, reminding me to keep going while also appreciating how far I’ve come.

Today, I’m choosing to continue that practice. I’m choosing to look around at my life and say, “It is good.” Because it is.

And I want to encourage you to do the same. Celebrate yourself. If you’re a mom who finally potty trained your child, celebrate it. If you’re a student who just grasped a concept that used to confuse you, celebrate it. If you’ve grown in your faith, your patience, or even your ability to rest—celebrate that too.

Don’t rush past your progress. Take a moment, look around, and give yourself credit. Because the truth is, you’ve already come so far. And it is good.