small celebrations

        “Small” and “celebration” don’t go together too well, do they?  We’re used to celebrating the big things -- birthdays and anniversaries and Christmas.  But what about celebrating the small, everyday things like taking a good photo or having a good laugh or not being rude when somebody asks you the same question four times?  At first that probably sounds naive or even silly, but it isn’t.  It’s the opposite.  It’s good and clean and wise, because it’s imitating God.  He celebrates small things.  He has a whole universe to run, but just one person saying one “yes” to Him is enough to make all of heaven rejoice.  I learned that over a decade ago from Henri Nouwen’s book Return of the Prodigal Son, and I’m still reeling from it.