a dad like you

48 years ago yesterday
was God thinking of me?

on that day when my grandparents heard the good news
that a healthy baby boy was born to them
did they know that 25 years later
he would be my daddy?

did anyone but God know
that I would need a dad like you?

a daddy whose baby girl didn’t want to be held close
who would hold her anyway
pacing, holding her out in front of him
late into the night

a daddy whose little girl seemed to want to be anywhere but home
who would give her a loving home anyway
a steady home, a safe haven
she could always return to

a daddy whose teenage girl wasn’t sure what she wanted
who would give her what she needed anyway
encouraging her gifts and talents
and feeding her passions

a daddy whose grown-up girl all of a sudden launched into the unknown
who was left holding an empty bow
smiling and proud, knowing this was the moment
he’d been preparing her for

a daddy who followed God
and in so doing
was exactly the daddy He wanted him to be

I pray one day I have a little girl
who is blessed enough
to have a dad like you

we lost a child today

our lives are dedicated to saving lives
educating the public on the value of those lives
helping provide those lives with the care they need

but today a life was snuffed out
the phrase is almost too gentle
even the image of a flaming wick being pinched
is too tranquil a description
for this sort of death

we did what we could
we always do what we can
but it is never enough

never enough
for the thousands
of children who die every day
and it wasn’t enough
for this little one

so we mourn, but we do not lose heart
and in memory of this child lost
we will persevere to save others

whisper

listen!
secretive, mysterious
approaching, murmuring, speaking
only wind in leaves?
no…

look!
usual, mundane
strolling, wandering, exercising
just a normal walk?
hesitate…

feel!
moist, breezy
misting, breathing, caressing
something here I missed?
yes…

smell!
wet, fresh
rejuvenating, growing, living
may I have it?
perhaps…

taste!
pleasant, enticing
taking, consuming, digesting
absorbing the given missive!
ponder…

“…you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” 1 Peter 2:3

Hurt and Healing After Abortion

photo courtesy of Justice For All

Tears streamed down Paul’s face as he told me about the cousin and sibling that he would never meet because they had been aborted. I listened as he shared the painful circumstances that had led to those tragic decisions, as well as the devastation that had followed—especially in his aunt’s life…

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