She has just walked out the door, a little nervous, holding onto the key that will lead her to her next milestone in life.  It is her driving test, finally, after a year of practicing and anticipation.  How many of these similar milestones and life stages has she gone through?  Each time with fear and trembling, but also each time learning to trust God and to have confidence in herself. I pray that God will be faithful and reward her for her efforts and give her courage, protection, wisdom and a smooth drive. Pray that this will be like the other steps that she has taken before. Yes, just like that very first step she took all by herself when she was one. I still remember clearly. It was in our apartment in Bothell after we moved down to Seattle from Vancouver. She stood up, looked at me, and then she took two small steps all by herself, maybe a little unsure at first, but once she saw how easy and natural it was, she smiled and took a few more before falling into my arms. And life was never the same for her again!

And after that, there were many other steps that she took, literally and figuratively — the first day of preschool, learning to write her name (her big round bubbly letters), learning to read, swim, and ride a bike; fast forward a few more years, going to her first overnight camp with her friend, flying to Tahiti with her schoolmates; or how about in a few more years from now, going off to college…

There were times when she failed, and as much as I had wanted to pick her up (just like when she first learned how to walk and fell often), I had to just stand back and watch sometimes, praying that God would give her the strength to stand up by herself.  I am so proud of her and I have so much joy in seeing her stepping out. I pray that as each step comes, she will continue to experience the faithfulness of God. May she grow into the beautiful woman whom God has created her to be.  And may she have lots of fun as she takes each step and reaches each milestone that God is preparing for her.

She is walking in through the door.  Did she pass?  I couldn’t tell…  she doesn’t look sad or happy…  And then, I see the smile, the same one that was on her face when she made that very first step all by herself some 15 years ago.

Amen!

Wendy Choy-Chan came to North America from Hong Kong when she was 15.  She is now a full-time mom and part-time student at Fuller Northwest studying for her MA in Theology.  She lives with her husband and two daughters in Seattle, WA.