Graduation day had finally arrived.

It should have been one of the most joyous days of my life. Moreover, I had secured the four-year scholarship I had sacrificed for. I was on top of the world — or so I thought. I had no idea that my world was about to collapse, leading me to a freefall!

My father was dead.

I was his little girl. I strove to make him proud. Now, the week of my pinnacle achievement was the week of his demise. How could it be? He was too young… barely 40 years old. I was shocked, devastated, and angry. I felt alone and vulnerable.

Searching for the protection I thought I had lost drove me into a series of events that escorted me to a more real relationship with Jesus than I had yet experienced or even imagined possible.

It was during that difficult season in my life that I learned to have Him as a personal Friend and trusted Counselor. He became “real” to me because of the very real nature of the storms of life that we went on to weather together.

Whereas I had only focused on a relationship with my Dad in this life, God was securing the possibility of endless, unbroken joy-filled fellowship forever together!