Exam fever

Yes.

For the first time, since 1998, I actually have exam fever. You know the symptoms.
- hands sweaty and slippery
- nightmares that you forgot to answer questions, had no pencils or didn't wear pants to school
- waking up at 7:30am to catch up on undone work
- stomachaches that are not caused by indigestion
- a sudden urge to procrastinate, followed by panic at said procrastination.

The only difference is this time,I am experiencing all these vicariously - through my 7 year old son. He sits for the first exams of his life next week, and we are all sitting for them with him.

The interesting thing is this - no one taught him these behaviours/ traits. We have not made a big deal of this exam thing, certainly not to the fever pitch of alot of my fellow parents who are falling over themselves trying to get their kid to panic or feel guilty. Anyone who knows me and Otrie knows we are rather laid back parents -too laid back for some.

So Hanan's behaviour comes from one place only - school. His teachers must be telling them horror stories of how their little lives will be over if they don't pass this exam. The have certainly been piling on the homework like there is no tomorrow.

So my role in this situation is this - to be a constant reminder of where his help comes from. That it doesn't all depend on him. That he will never walk alone. That this is NOT the valley of the shadow of death, but more like crossing the Jordan - easy, effortless, and full of milk and honey on the other side. The giants are like bread - for feeding on. And God is B.I.G.

We have been saying Psalm 91 - David's song of protection and safety. I hope it helps Hanan feel secure.

Psalm 91 (Amplified Version)

1 HE WHO [a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,(A)

10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.(B)

13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.(C)

14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.