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Finding Faith ... in the plan God has lovingly laid out for our daughter

EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2021 I began a new venture writing a newspaper column titled "Finding Faith" for the Forum Communications Co. network of newspapers and websites. I was asked to contribute to the company's ongoing conversation about faith, lending a Lutheran and fairly ecumenical approach to the discussion. The column was published in several of the company's papers and websites, including The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. This column originally appeared as a "Finding Faith" column on May 19, 2023.


The Rev. Devlyn Brooks at his home church, Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn.

By The Rev. Devlyn Brooks


“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart …” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)


Dear Ava, 


It’s not possible that you are graduating in just a week! A moment ago, you came into my life as a little girl. I blinked, and now you want to leave us for that great big world out there.


It’s a curious thing, parenting: You spend nearly two decades preparing the most cherished people in your lives for life out there, only then to never want to let them go.


I know in my heart that God has plans for you; I know that you have plans for yourself. My prayer is that the two align, as then you will find yourself as blessed as I have been these past 11 years getting to be part of your life.


I never saw it coming, never would have believed I would know the joys of parenting girls. But then along came your mom, you and sister to join me and the boys. A completed set, handed to me following the darkest days of my life. What a life-changing, unexpected blessing!


So, what I’m saying is, trust in God’s plan, even when it’s anxiously taking you farther off your own course. You have no idea the surprises that await you along the way. It just might include two wonderful stepdaughters you never dreamed of!


There are so many things I wish I could share with you, valuable life lessons. But, alas, the best teacher sometimes is life, and it will fill you with more knowledge than a lifetime of parenting.


My smart, determined and kind daughter … you will inevitably find yourself lost along your way. Take heart; it happens to all of us. But please remember that there really is a True North, and if you trust in him, God will always bring you home. And I will be right there waiting with your mom.


So now, go boldly out into this world and chase your cowgirl dreams, my dear. And when inevitably you fall out of that saddle, as we all do, trust in two things: One, your “Dubby” will be waiting to help you back to your feet.


And two, if it feels like you “zigged” when God was calling you to “zag,” don’t worry. He is a patient God, and he’s a master at working with our mistakes, especially the detours we take from his plans.


Ride now, Bava Boo. Trust in his plan, and all will be well.


Love … Dubby


Devlyn Brooks is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and serves Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He also works for Forum Communications Co. He can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com for comments and story ideas.

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