One proud mama

I have experienced lots of proud moments with my three children in my short five years of parenting, but tonight topped them all!  Tonight was Clare's Christmas program at pre-school, but it was a bigger deal than most because Clare was scared.

In the fall Clare's young 5's class did a little play at school for the parents.  Clare was so, SO excited, but when she walked out with her class and saw the parents she got stage fright.  Not just a little, but full blown panic.   I wish I could say I handled it like a wonderful mom and showed incredible grace and support...but that's not what happened.  This was totally new for me, and for Clare, and I was flustered.  I didn't know how to help her and in my frustration with the situation I came across insensitive and unkind to my sweet little girl.

The next week I found a book on facing childhood worries and read all about how to empathize with their fears and be a face of calm when they are scared.  She had memorized Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid.  For the Lord your God will be with you" at school, so we began repeating that verse whenever Clare talked about being scared.  We made silly jokes about pretending everyone looked like reindeer and practiced yelling at the butterflies in our tummy to go away.  We read books about children doing performances and ballerinas on stage. 

And honestly, did I care if Clare overcame her stage fright at the age of 5?  That truly wasn't the goal.  But she had been so excited about her play, and was SO excited about this performance that I hated to see her fears allow her to miss exciting things, especially something she had looked forward to.

So tonight was the night.  Though Clare said she was excited all day, and LD and I had prayed she would make it through, I will admit I didn't have confidence it would happen. 

But she did it!!  She sang with her class, then she said her line in her class play, then sang a song with the school!  We had a big celebration tonight at Chick Fil A, not for being a star, but for being brave and trusting Jesus with her fears!

So proud of you Clare, and so thankful to be your mommy!!

 

Here is her big performance :)