A Father's Prayer

Recently, my wife asked me to write a 'blessing' for our daughter in honor of her 12th birthday.  Her request inspired a poem entitled A Father's Prayer.  I hope you enjoy!!

A Father’s Prayer

By Biz Gainey 

That this wonderful girl who is ever becoming

The beautiful young woman whom we know as you,

Adorned will be

with all that’s glorious

with all that’s grand

with all that’s true.

That good will deck

your life painted walls,

Deep love cascade down

your interior halls.

That you will long to

Laugh till you cry.

That you will learn which ground you must hold,

To know the difference between the weak and bold.

Though easily missed by the naked eye

Will be spied by heart shaped 

By He who molds your mansion on High.

That you will never too easily yield

Nor place in life too strong a shield.

So that you may know the difference

Between the moments of life

 When you must in wisdom retreat,

Or in strength defend,

Or trust enough to boldly lean in.

That in the midst of pain you will not stop.

Even when the crucible of life

Is enflamed and

White hot.

Nor rely on strength too easily held

Rather trust in He in whose strength you dwell.

To mold and make you true and fast

That you might learn to love and live

A life which lasts.

To be loved by Him

In whose breath did sigh,

“Father, for this one freely I die.”

As you have been loved

May you love those too

Who are lost and frayed

Discolored, askew.

For in Him, my child, I pray you will live!

It is He who longs

To adorn your life’s mansion;

Those interior walls and cascading halls

With eternal beauty

He so freely will give!