“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways, be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Do you know anyone who sets really big, audacious goals? And by big, audacious goals, I mean the kind of goals that just make you think, “Wow, okay. Good luck with that.” These goals are the size and scope that are within reason but not very many people achieve them. In other words, it’s not the type of thing where someone says, “I’m going to win the lottery” and we all know it’s pretty well impossible. No, I’m referring to the type of goal where it’s within the goal setter’s control (to a degree) but the end result also involves a healthy dose of Divine Guidance and Intervention.
Allow me introduce you to just such a person: My daughter, Josie.
This past week, my wife and I helped Josie move into her new dorm room at Baylor University. You see, since she was 12 years old, Josie has dreamed of going to Baylor. Mind you, this dream involved more than just becoming a Baylor Bear. Her goal was to become a Lady Bear softball player.
Now, while the world uses the words ‘dream’ and ‘goal’ as synonyms (I am doing the same), there is certainly a big difference between the two. In the Bower household, a dream is a passive wish. Dreaming is great but only in the sense that it should, in many respects, lead to a goal. Our definition of a goal is the end result of specific actions. And believe me, Josie took plenty of definitive actions to get to where she is today.
One note: My wife and I aren’t proud of Josie simply because she is playing softball at a premier program at a prestigious school. We are proud of her because what this accomplishment tells us about her character.
In addition to playing softball year-round, Josie did not stop playing other sports in high school. In fact, her senior year, she somehow managed to play both varsity basketball and soccer (which take place during the same time of year here in Texas). On top of all that, she managed a full Advanced Placement schedule for her classes, graduating near the top of her class.
Quite frankly, Josie amazes me. Of course, I am amazed by all of our children and I’ll share more about our boys in later posts. This week has just given me an opportunity to publicly praise our daughter.
I am most proud of the woman that she is becoming. The world and our country are in desperate need of strong, independent women. We need women who understand that, intellectually and emotionally, they are equal to men (and in many ways superior). Each sex can do things better than the other. Those differences need to be celebrated, not whittled down or otherwise shunned.
I know Josie understands these things by the way she handles herself and her business. She is certainly strong-willed and determined. She isn’t afraid to tell it like it is but she also respects the thoughts and ideas of others. Of course, no one gets to Baylor (or any school, for that matter) on softball and academic scholarships by accident.
I personally cannot wait to see her development as a Christian woman over the next four years, both on and off the softball field. God has a plan for her (like He does for all of us) and we are privileged to have a front row seat for all the action.
I love you, Josie Bower. Sic ‘Em.