“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

Public speaking terrifies most people, but not my five-year-old daughter. At her class recital, she was thrilled to step up to the microphone and recite her poem in front of parents, teachers, and classmates.

She began beautifully, reciting the first part with ease. She paused before continuing, but the audience assumed she had finished and began clapping. With all the confidence of a kindergartner, she declared, “I’m not done yet.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and so did I, but then her expression shifted. Tears welled up in her eyes.

My wife and I froze, unsure of what to do. Should we step in and comfort her? My heart ached as I watched her crumble under the weight of the moment. I wanted to rush in, to hold her, to fix it all. But something held me back.

Her teacher gently stepped in, putting an arm around her shoulder and walking her back to her seat. She wiped her tears, and after a few deep breaths, she was herself again.

That moment really tugged at my heart. But I realized something: she was safe, and this was not something I needed to fix.

Life is filled with hard and uncomfortable moments like these. I was reminded of how God allows us to walk through life’s tough moments, not because He is distant but because He knows growth often follows struggle.

I am learning how sometimes the best thing I can do for my kids, family members, and friends is to take a step back when the moment calls for it. You can always trust that God can use the struggles to grow something beautiful in time.