It was a long time ago when our oldest daughter, Julie, was about to start first grade. We lived in Morgan Hill, California, at the time.

I was so proud of her. She was the top swimmer in her Red Cross Tadpole class. Parents crowded around the pool with cameras poised. It was the first of two TEST days. The instructor called her name, "Julie Rose!"

Julie just stood there.

She called Julie's name again, and this time she began crying — screaming actually: "No, I'm not doing it. No. No!"

She continued her protest-crying for what seemed like an hour. Then, her instructor walked her over to the wall, and Julie flopped down.

How could this be happening?

Yesterday, in practice, she was the only one who did it. Why was she so afraid today?

When class was over, I silently picked up her bag while she grabbed her towel and headed to the car. Once inside, I asked, "Wow, what was happening out there?"

She looked up, eyes still red from tears, "Dad, she said she would be in the deep water. She said she would be there. She wasn't there."

Wow! Those words changed everything.

The next day was the final TEST. We got there early enough for me to have a short talk with her swim teacher, but before I could get all my words out, she gasped, "Oh, I'm so sorry! Julie is exactly right. That's what I told them all! I'll be in the water today."

She was! And, Julie was the star.

God says He is ALWAYS in the room (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39).

Jesus promised, "I will be with you always..." (Matthew 28:20).

Our LORD is always in the deep end!
Our LORD is always in the deep end... and the shallow end... and, for that matter, every end.

He is there.

No need for fear; trust Him and jump in! Make Him proud!

Thank you, Abba, for camping out in the middle of my fear.