Brave Heart

I have been wanting to write this down for awhile now but couldn't find the perfect picture.  Forget the picture!

Jace HATED nursery, like hated with a capital "H" for the longest time.  I stressed about this often.  I'm usually pretty strong when it comes to making my kids go through things that they don't care for.  But this one started to tug at my heart strings after awhile. 

I tried sitting in nursery with him and sneaking out.  I tried sitting in nursery with him and explaining that I will leave and come back soon.  I tried talking about nursery all week.  I tried sending him with a treat to share, or his favorite toy, or a picture of our family.  I tried having his favorite Spencer drop him off at class.  I bribed him with all sorts of things.  No matter what I tried he ended up crying the entire time.  I often found his sweet nursery leaders walking around the halls with him, or going outside for fresh air, or sneaking him extra treats.

Jace's hatred for nursery was so bad that if the word "Sunday", or "church", or "nursery" were ever mentioned throughout the week, crying would start.  He would cling to me, and it was bad news.

One day I couldn't take it anymore.  I felt sick for myself, for Jace, and especially for his nursery leaders.  I decided to call one of those leaders and ask for any advice she might have.  I first apologized for what he puts them through each week and second thanked her for a thankless job.  Third, I asked her if there was anything I should or could be doing to help this situation.  What she told me was priceless. 

"Pray for him.  Pray for him to have a brave heart."

Dang it.  I thought I had tried everything in the book.  I thought for sure she was going to tell me I had done everything possible.  I thought for sure she was just as stumped as I was.  But instead she taught me a valuable lesson.

And guess what.  It worked.