Ava took Jens and Lex to the sunny park one beautiful morning. The playground was full of exciting things to climb and explore. Jens pointed at the big rope net with wide eyes. "I want to climb that!" he exclaimed excitedly.

A Day at the Park

The rope net towered above little Jens like a mountain. Ava smiled and knelt beside him, pointing to the first rope. "You can do it, Jens," she encouraged gently. "I'll show you where to put your feet."

The Big Challenge

Lex watched as Jens began to climb with Ava guiding but not holding him. "Why don't you help him more?" Lex asked with a frown. "He's calling for help, but you're letting go."

Lex's Question

Ava smiled at Lex while keeping an eye on Jens. "It's so you learn to do hard things without me," she explained. Lex crossed his arms with a serious face. "Oh, I don't want to do hard things," he decided.

Ava's Wisdom

Later, Jens wanted to try the rope net again. "Help me, Ava!" he called as he started climbing. Ava stood nearby but didn't reach out. "You can do it, Jens! Remember where to put your feet."

Trying Again

Jens' little hands gripped the ropes tightly. His legs wobbled as he searched for the next step. "This is hard!" he called down. But he kept climbing, one small step at a time.

The Struggle

Finally, Jens reached the very top of the rope net. "I did it!" he shouted, jumping up and down. His smile was as bright as the sun. Lex watched with wide eyes from below.

Victory!

"Oh," said Lex, his eyes growing wide with understanding. "That's why you let us do hard things." Ava nodded with a proud smile. "When we do hard things ourselves, we grow stronger."

Lex Understands

That night, Ava tucked the boys into bed. "God is like me at the playground," she explained softly. "He guides us through hard things but doesn't always carry us."

Like Our Heavenly Father

"God shows us where to step next," Ava continued. "He watches over us when things are difficult. He cheers for us and keeps us safe. But He lets us climb ourselves."

God's Guidance

"When we face hard things, we learn and grow," Ava whispered. Jens was already falling asleep. Lex thought about the rope net. "So God is proud when we do hard things?"

Growing Stronger

"Yes, God is so proud," Ava smiled, kissing their foreheads. "He loves watching us grow brave and strong. And one day, we'll understand why He let us do hard things."

Why We Do Hard Things

Big for his age, loves super hero costumes

A big 4-year-old European boy with short blonde hair, who loves dressing up in superhero costumes

A 2-year-old Caucasian boy with short blonde hair

Jens

turn this into a Christian children's book: Today our nanny Ava shared an awesome experience at the park with my two little ones.

"We are at the park right now. Lex was watching me teach Jens to climb the rope net. I wasn’t holding him but guiding his next step. Lex says “why do you always let go of people when they are doing hard things on the playground when they need help?” (Him referencing Jens struggling on the net calling for my help). I said “it’s so that you learn to do hard things without me”. Lex says, “Oh, I don’t want to do hard things.” 😆

Later, Jens get on the ropes again and calls for help. I encourage him that he can do it while watching from afar. And then he does it! All by himself! At the top Jens yells “I did it!” Jumps up and down and Lex says “Oh that’s why you let us do hard things.” 🥲"

I could go on and on about how amazing Ava is as a nanny and what a blessing she is to raising my little men, and she is SUCH a huge blessing and incredible woman, but instead I can't help but see the parallel of that story and the role God has in our lives.

I can't tell you how often I wish my lifelong trial would be over and how often I literally ask God why he is making me go through all this pain even I KNOW he could take it away... Then I remember the little and big wins along the way and the things I have learned and gained because of pain I am constantly in. God absolutely tells me where to step, but I haven't ever experienced the feeling of him completely lifting me to the top of the playground. I feel him watching me and cheering me along. Then I do something impossible and I jump up and down with joy saying "I did it!" and I know he's so proud of me. And just like little Lex I think to myself, "Oh that’s why you let us do hard things."

Let's not forget to let God guide us. Thank God for the miracles we experience every day