Tonight on the Porch is a Journal Entry from June 21, 1988 when my son, Davey was 2 and a half years old. He recently married Amanda, a wonderful, pure and godly young lady -- I had the privilege of reading this entry to them at the wedding:
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Tonight on the porch in Grandma’s big swing
With you on my lap asleep
I was still looking at the star you pointed at minutes before
And I pondered what, for your life, God might have in store
I wonder, Little Buddy, if somewhere tonight
A dad with his little girl might be looking at that star
Perhaps they are close by; most likely quite far
But this I know for sure – she exists
Because your mother’s prayers for her persist
Her name is a mystery – her face, by us, not yet seen
Yet nightly prayer to the Father for her we bring
Father, may she grow to be more in love with You
Than with anything or anyone
May her passion for life be only surpassed by purity and virtue
May she be set apart for You and compromise for none
May her father and mother have great wisdom
In those formative years
May they teach her the graces, Godly passion
And how to embrace life with laughter and tears
May she be free from self-centeredness or abuse
May she learn to rise above fear and not live by excuse
May she be tender enough to see the hurt in others
And bold enough to help lead them to You
‘Cause I know somewhere down this road of life
Little Davey will be a man – and he’ll need a wife.
And Father, while I’m at it – for Davey I pray
May these strengths and virtues – his life display
May his parents instill faithfully your incredible love in stride
And Your example of manly love with your church -- Your “bride”
Father, give him a heart that for his bride will fight.
Not as the world makes love a cheap competition
But with romance so Godly it looks like heaven’s extension
Prepare his life; strengthen his heart;
Make Him Your tender warrior; brighten his LIGHT
And Father, wherever that little girl is with her daddy tonight
Could You mix a little image of Davey in her heart-light?
