The Two Most Magical Words in a Middle Eastern Parent's Vocabulary

Growing up with ultra-conservative, super strict parents wasn't easy. For a rebellious, stubborn, too-smart-for-her-own-good child, it meant a lot of conflict. But there were two words my parents would sometimes say that would completely lift my heart. They would say this phrase, and--every time, without fail--I would feel an inexplicable peace.

They would say, "7asal khair."

The closest thing in English is "It's ok; don't worry," but literally it means "good happened."

Good happened.

90% of the time this was said after I broke a cup or a plate. And it was very democratic: parent or child, at some point, we all heard "7asal khair."

Yesterday, my daughter broke her first cup. It slipped slowly from her embrace and exploded onto the ground, shards of ceramic and pieces of blue hippo reverberating through the whole kitchen. I could see on her face the deep breath before a wail. Not a whiny cry, but a true wail from fear, guilt, and sorrow. I cut her off at the pass with "7asal khair. No big deal, sweetheart." Startled, she said, "But I broke the cup." "Could have happened to anyone--7asal khair."

It's her favorite cup. So I'm glad there's still one left.

I wonder what would happen if we, as parents, said this more often.

"I'm late to school!" "7asal khair"
"I forgot my homework" "7asal khair"
"I lost my watch" "7asal khair" (If you're my baba or mama reading this, you get the joke ;)!)

Isn't that what we say to ourselves? "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28a). How much more true is this for children whom God loves so much and who love Him with the simplest, most unquestioning devotion?

Good happened.

Apparently, there's a song entitled so? Mediocre but passable translation.