At the time of this entry, our oldest daughter was a senior in high school and ready to spread her wings!   I was working at the Christian school and learning many lessons from our children and the kids at the school. 

From the journal . . . . April 1990

Paula is so excited about Nicole’s poems. She wants to use them in book she is publishing for the church.  I’m really thankful for the interest she has shown in my daughter.  Our lives are in Your hands, Lord.  Nicole is young, confident, and has the ability to go for her dreams.  Lord, I have vision, sort of, but time seems always to be against me when I consider ‘dreams’.   

And I Believe God Said:

Time isn’t your foe so much as fear.

What am I afraid of?

You are afraid others will doubt Me in you.  You fear that doubt will hurt our relationship.  Don’t fear that, because I am part of our relationship.  Nothing will keep Me from you. Be like young Owen and Nicole – give it a try.  If you fail – oh well.  Nothing I do fails and I am in you.  You don’t always see My successes in your life because your spiritual sight isn’t developed.  I am pleased that you are acting more on faith and believing what you don’t see.  Trust your faith.  Don’t be afraid of being proved foolish.

Romans 8:38. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
2 Cor. 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
John 20:29. ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

First, trust Me.  Second, act on the measure of faith you feel. Walk on the water. You will get wet sometimes, midway through, but you’ll recover.  You won’t lose a thing. 

Matt 14:22-33. Peter walks on the water.

You respected and were proud of Owen and Tony at the skating event.  Even though they had just learned to skate, they entered the race with the more experienced skaters.  That’s how I feel about you when you step out.  Don’t fear embarrassment.

Romans 10:11. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”