A Prayer for Papa

As the temple was a copyand shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,and we see now in a mirror dimlywhat will in Heaven be fully known,so my prayer for you, Papa,is that in your newfound ministrythe Father’s heart for you will beatall the more clearly,your heart an echo of His own. When you see your firstborn’s  faceand in your heart exclaim,“This is the most beautiful thingI’ve ever made!”may you be taken back to the sixth daywhen God breathed life and delightedin they who bore His imageand represented His name. When you hear her first saywith eyes locked on your face, “Papa!”May you remember that dayyou were first changed, adoptedcrying out that first time, “Abba, Father!”When you cheer her on asshe takes her first stepsright into your arms,may you be overcome with gladness thatthe Father is pleased with the faithyou place in Him, in factHe’s rejoicing every time you return,delighted with each believing step. When you think of all the waysyou want to expressyour love for herin small ways and big,may you consider the Father’sheart to givegood gifts to His children,goodwill is yours in Him. And when she tests your limitsand rebels in her sin,may you be empoweredto lovingly discipline and to forgiveagain and again,being so fully convincedthe Father knows your own weak frame,and yet shows compassionHis grace abounding every timemuch more than your sin. A father’s heart is a shadowbut the substance is God.Your commitment just a dropfrom His ocean of love. My prayer for you isto swim in that sea,exploring its depthsas you cherish our seed.