As parents we will have many moments that cause concern, unsettled emotions and even confusion around our kiddos. I love the story my friend Heather shares today about how she sought the Lord’s wisdom and peace in one of those moments. Parenting has many challenges and the Lord’s peace and wisdom has been a life line for me along the journey. I hope you are encouraged and also reminded to turn to the Lord for His peace next time you hit a bump in the road!
Heather Meades, author and missionary, parent to 3 and grandparent to 5. She is passionate about joy and skills to stay healthy and relational.
My youngest son, Will, started school in 2nd grade after several years of homeschooling. Up to this point he was happy, easygoing, and seemed to enjoy school. I noticed shortly after moving to another country, starting a new school, and leaving friends, that fear and sadness began to surface in his life. I felt sad for him. We talked and prayed together as we navigated his big emotions and new school jitters.
He came home from his first day looking relieved. I handed him a snack as he told me about his day. He expressed his enjoyment and his fears. There had been so many big changes and expectations. I knew this was hard and overwhelming for him, yet I sensed he would adjust well if we navigated this together. It was too much and too big for him to do alone.
As the weeks passed, he began to settle in. He became familiar and more comfortable with the schedule, his teacher, and peers. Fear faded as he felt more at ease, and sadness began to make its way to joy as friendships developed with classmates. Talking and praying together helped. He felt seen, heard, and comforted in this big transition. He learned he was not alone and could talk to Immanuel about everything.
Then one day I got a call from his teacher. She wanted to see me. With nervous curiosity I met with her. She explained that she had noticed something in Will that concerned her. She explained that she asked the children to fold their paper in half, so there would be two columns for spelling words. She went on to explain that he wrote the first column correctly and the next column was too, yet it was mirror image backwards. She suggested an evaluation by a special teacher and then began to speak out labels indicating a problem with his processing.
I am not opposed to an evaluation or a diagnosis when handled properly. However, I did not feel comfortable with an assumption over an isolated situation. Her casual approach threw me. Feeling defensive and uncomfortable, I took a deep breath and told her that I need to pray before going any further.
I went home and shared with my husband. Still feeling distraught after chatting, I took some time to quiet, remember, and to talk to Immanuel. I knew it would be helpful to intentionally recall memories of when Immanuel has been faithful in my distress. In doing so I noticed my body relax and my mind, slow down as I recalled memories.
I then talked to Immanuel about the situation. Pausing, I quieted myself and within moments the words, “talk to Will about it” came to mind. I was surprised and curious.
That evening at bedtime, while tucking my son in, I shared that I had spoken with his teacher. She had told me about the spelling test and columns. I also mentioned to him that I talked to Immanuel about it. I handed him the spelling paper and asked him to tell me about it. He smiled and quickly interjected, “Oh! I had to write it that way because I didn’t know if the words would fit in the second small column.” For some reason in his little mind, he felt if he wrote it backwards then it would fit it on the page.
“Wow! Will that was so clever!” I exclaimed. He beamed.
I explained that the teacher had wanted him to do it a certain way, and writing backwards concerned her. I suggested that he ask his teacher if he could write the second column of words on the back of the page in the future. He acknowledged he could and he did. She allowed him to and it corrected the issue completely.
The situation provided him practice in asking for what he needed with gentle guidance from me. I was grateful that he handled this situation so well. I am confident it is because we had been intentionally talking to Immanuel and to each other.
I visited the teacher and told her what had happened. She listened with wide eyes and a big smile. We were both relieved that he had been able to articulate what was going on. In the end he did not need an evaluation of any kind.
As I write this story, I am once again reminded that Immanuel cares about our children. Not every situation has been that straightforward. Yet as I reflect on the Lord in other situations the care and comfort has come in His time.
He cares deeply about our concerns, distress, and worries with our children.
I often encourage myself with this verse from 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Our children need us, and we need Immanuel when things feel big.
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- CLICK HERE to learn more about Heather
- CLICK HERE to see her books on Amazon
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