"Adjusting"

Some of you have asked me how Elijah Brooks adjusted to our recent move.  He really has adjusted beautifully, and much more easily than I thought he would have. We have been here about 9 weeks now, and the only thing that caused him significant grief in this whole process was being left in his new church nursery on Sunday mornings and Wednesday's nights. He never once cried in his previous nursery, probably because that was where he started out and was used to it. He was used to the ladies and they were used to him - and loved him so much. When we moved, the 1st time I left him in the nursery at the new church, he cried so much that his eyes were swollen when I picked him up after church. He wouldn't play with any toys, but would just walk around and cry. It doesn't help that he is only 1 of 2 children in there his age on any given Sunday. He is a very social child and very much enjoys interacting with people. He didn't have anyone to play with most of the time and I think he was just plain scared of his new environment and new workers. Having a husband as one of the pastors, I have alittle bit of an advantage because I can take him to the nursery during the week and let him play in that specific room to help him adjust to the room - and I did that numerous times, just hoping that it would help to familiarize him with the new environment.  For almost 2 months, I dreaded taking him to church because I just hated to see him go through that, knowing there was nothing I could do to help him - but just keep taking him and eventually he would get used to it.  It made it especially difficult because both Jay and I have active roles in the services each week, with Jay leading or preaching and me singing.  I even tried taking him to the 8:15 service instead of the 11:00 service, hoping that would help since I wouldn't have to wake him up from his nap at 10:30 to get him there on time.  I definitely think that helped somewhat, but he was still having a hard time.  Taking him at 8:15 also meant that I would have to drop out of choir because the choir only sings at the 11:00 service. I have been out of choir for a  year already because of his schedule, and I really need to get back to singing for alot of reasons.  I am so thankful because God has worked out a beautiful new schedule so that I can start singing again. I am on the calendar to sing a solo 2 x's a month for the early service, so I can still be involved. The timing of the early service is just better for Elijah Brooks until he drops his morning nap. Anyway, I kept telling the workers that this was not like him - that he very rarely cries. I doubt they believed me because all they saw was a child with swollen eyes and a red-streaked face! I wanted them to see the "real Elijah Brooks" - the happy, bubbly, joyful child that we know. The workers are very sweet though and they all kept saying that eventually he would get used to his new surroundings.  Some of the workers play with the children more than others, so that was something that was bothering me too. With only 1 or 2 kids in the room, they need someone to play with and interact with them - not just sit in a rocking chair and not do anything.  

I decided several weeks to just stop worrying (which was a fight in and of itself against my own natural and sinful tendencies), and just pray for Elijah Brooks and pray for the nursery workers by name.  I started praying so fervently that Elijah Brooks would feel safe and secure, that he would trust his new workers to take care of him, that he would trust Mommy to come back and get him, but more importantly that he would trust God to be with him and provide for his every need.  I prayed too for the workers - that they would truly see their job as a ministry to these precious children and their parents (these are paid workers not from the church, so it is a job for them), that they would have a desire to nurture the children, to love the children, to develop relationships with the children,  and to provide for their emotional well-being..., not just their physical needs.  I am so happy to report that for the past 3 Sunday's, Elijah Brooks has jumped out of my arms onto the floor (rather than being pulled off of me screaming), run to the toy baskets and waved "bye-bye" to me!!  I cried a few Sunday's ago when it happened for the 1st time - I was also singing a solo 10 minutes after that, so it allowed me to really frame my heart for worship rather than being so upset that I was leaving him in that condition.  Last week, the same thing happened, and today I picked him up and he was running around playing with the nursery workers - who ALL happened to be sitting on the floor interacting with him!!!!  

I do believe that God has heard and answered my prayers in such specific and noticeable ways. No prayer is too small or insignificant to lay before the Father's feet.  He has not only worked in my son's precious and tender heart - but He has also worked in the hearts of the nursery workers as well.  Today, sweet Kiana said, "We are finally seeing the real Elijah Brooks - the little boy you have been telling us about"!  And with that, Elijah Brooks blew a kiss to all of the workers without being told to do so. 

I don't know know what next week will hold, but I am thankful for today's answer to prayer. God will still be God next week even if my child has a total meltdown - He will not change - He will still be in that nursery protecting my little one. I have to trust Him regardless of what happens next week. 

Let's continue to pray for all of the workers who work with our little ones. They have a great job to do and need our prayers.