Letter to Dad

A little background... On December 13, I got a call from my number-one-choice college (George Fox University) saying that I was accepted. As I wrote in my journal that day: No smile is big enough, no words profound enough to express my joy. It may sound exaggerated or dramatic, but that is truly how I felt. My dad has traded off between encouraging me and worrying about it (the tuition is quite out of our range). I wrote the following letter and gave it to him yesterday...

Dear Dad,
        I know how hard it must be for you- I'll be going away for college and it will cost a lot of money to do so. I trust God will provide for us. This is the desire of my heart, the desire God placed in my heart, and I know that He will make a way for it to happen.
        I've trusted God with my money by being diligent in my tithing, and I'm sure God will pay me back for my faithfulness. Faith is a hard thing, especially for something as big as the tuition we'll be facing. Hebrews 11:1 says faith "is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." As pastors have told me, faith is not a blind leap but a sure step. I don't know how exactly the tuition will be paid, but I know beyond a doubt God will take care of it.
        Going to George Fox means the world to me. It feels like sometimes you are encouraging me, but at other times you disapprove. Is it because you are worried about the finances? about me? "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22) "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) I don't want to leave for college without your blessing. Please, Dad, increase your faith and believe with me and Mom for everything to work together.
        "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests." (Proverbs 14:4) It won't be easy, but with the faith strong like an ox, great things are sure to happen.
Love,
me

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Proverbs 3:3-10
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
  bind them around your neck,
  write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
  in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
  and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
  and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
  fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
  and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth,
  with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
  and your vats will brim over with new wine.

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       After reading the letter, my dad came to talk with me. It was closest I've felt to him in ages. For a while we stood in silence, hugging each other. Never before has so much been said in such silence. It seemed to be a moment of him trusting me with my decision for college and trusting God for what will come. Later that night, we stood outside in the dark, watching the sky for the chance of shooting stars. Dad saw some, and I think I saw some (it's hard to say what with the city lights and bright moon). It was a special, bonding moment between us- both of us gazing into heaven, hoping to see a glimpse of glory. You can't look away for a second or you could miss the brilliant one. In the end, Dad decided he would fully support me in my adventure and I can't stop thanking God for this blessing!