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Chapter Thirteen
The Test of Courage
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?
So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate
in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ~
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully."
~ 2 Timothy 2:5 ~
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clutter in the baby nursery largely remained untouched, for John and Terry figured
they could do all the assembly and preparations that it would require, after Izumi's
bed rest had begun.
As July came to a close, everyone's attention shifted to the fly casting tournament
that was to take place on the first Saturday of August. Dennis and Abby had put in
hours of practice to prepare her for the events she would have to face, and Abby
was struggling more and more to remain as calm as she could. This was the last tournament
of the season, and if she failed to become a certified instructor, then it would
mean having to wait until next year before she could try again. Even Dennis hadn't
qualified on his first time out, and warned her of the possibility that it might
not happen this year. But the fly casting instructor was slow to make very many statements
like that, for he knew Abby was more talented than he had been at her age.
Friday night, Abby lie awake in bed, unable to sleep. Tomorrow would be her first
real step toward a new career-- one which she hoped would enable her to make a living.
It was a fairly modest aspiration, but nevertheless, a big one for Abby. She had
turned down a comfortable life with Tyler, declined to further her education by attending
a Christian college, postponed indefinitely her attempts at becoming a professional
artist, and now was only left with the option of becoming a fly casting instructor.
"Tyler for Jake," she mused to herself, staring at the bedroom ceiling,
lost in thought. "College for fly fishing. If my life becomes one big failure,
I'm never going to hear the end of it!" With a soft groan, Abby rolled over
onto her side. "And yet, this is the direction that God has led me," she
thought.
While she lie there contemplating her future, Abby heard a low mumble coming from
the baby monitor in Jake's room. She got up and went to check on her friend, only
to find him sleeping peacefully. Seeing that it had been a false alarm, Abby returned
to her bedroom and climbed into bed. If Jake could sleep through the night without
incident, then anything was possible-- including her new career.
"'All things are possible to him that believeth,'" she prayed under her
breath.
Abby shut her eyes and at last fell asleep. The chirp of crickets outside her window
lasted well into the night, serenading the young woman with their courtship songs.
As the first rays of dawn shone through the curtains, Abby began to stir. Suddenly
realizing what day it was, she hurried to dress herself and make her bed. Instead
of going to the kitchen, Abby sat down at her fly tying table and read the Bible
promises she had scrawled on the notes around her work area.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and a passage
from Proverbs that read, "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh
knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous."
After a heartfelt prayer to God, Abby set about to finish the dry fly she had been
working on. It was to be a present for someone, and she wanted it to be special.
Using a lighted magnifying glass, Abby worked over her gift, making sure to give
careful attention to every detail.
"Today's the big day," she heard a man's voice say from behind her.
Abby looked up to see Jake standing in her bedroom doorway.
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