First Day of School, Part 3

This was a much tougher morning.

Beginning last night, Eva cried and tried to convince us that she didn't like school, that she was too sick to go to school, and that she didn't like school without Isabel.

This morning, I awoke to find her in our bed and it was obvious that she hadn't rested very well through the night. On the drive to school, I caught glimpses of her pale, solemn face in the rearview mirror and thought, What am I doing to my child? She visited the bathroom 3-4 times this morning, and it was her first stop upon arriving at school. I had never seen her quite this tense and uptight.

We prayed together before we drove to school; we talked about how Jesus is always with us and we can remember with the five fingers on one hand that Jesus promised (1) I (2) WILL (3) NEVER (4) LEAVE (5) YOU. We practiced our song for handling fear: "When I am afraid, I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God whose Word I pray." When Eva's teacher took her hand to walk her to chapel, Isabel, Owen and I held hands and prayed for Eva to have courage and a great day at school. Later, we prayed for her again before we started Isabel's preschool lesson at home.

The uniformed girl with the cute little bob that climbed in the van after school was still serious, but stood taller and acted calm and confident (and relieved!) Did Jesus help you through your day? we asked. Yes, He did, she replied.

And then we heard all about her good day.

Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers!