At 16, my oldest daughter, Nora, has moved from childhood into young womanhood. She is driving, working and dating -- seems like a great time to impart some motherly wisdom. Only what do I say? What will stick and not bounce off into that wasteland of words upon words spoken and forgotten? When I read Oswald's entry for today, I thought, this is it. If I had only one message I could give her, this would be it: "God is your Father. He loves you. You will never think of anything that He will forget. Why should you worry?"
My dearest Nora,
You are lovely in every way. You're smart. You're a hard worker. You want to do what's right. You can take a lot of teasing and be a good sport about it. You laugh most every day, and you make me laugh with you -- not always an easy feat. You are loving and affectionate. You have proven that you have the ability to forgive and restore broken relationships. You like to have fun and see others have fun, as well. You are beautiful.
Your father and I thank God for you every day, but as much as we might like to be, we are not the perfect parents. God is. Dad and I will get it wrong from time to time. We are sinners. We are fallible. God is not. Sometimes, when you think we don't understand, we really don't. God does. He not only knows the number of hairs on your head, but the inner-workings of your heart and mind. He knit you together, and nothing happens to you apart from his plan (GP4U). Turn to him. Make his love the foundation of your life. You have inestimable value because he created you, he loves you, he died for you, and he wants to live in constant relationship with you.
"The disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and seek" -- Oswald.
Nora, trust him. Don't worry. Close your eyes and fall back into his arms. The overwhelming message of the Bible is that God is good. Trust him. Seek him. Eagerly ask for what you need.
Love, Mom
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