"Father's Blessing"

He stood close with tear-filled eyes,

When he heard his new-born’s cries,

And that is when he said good-byes,

To what he once had been.

He promised God right then and there,

That he would love and lead and care,

And with God’s help, come foul or fair,

He’d not look back again.

It was hard those early years,

To rise and overcome his fears,

He stumbled often, hid his tears,

And begged there on his knees.

To get the help to keep him sane,

And die to self, let Jesus reign,

And somehow overcome the pain,

He served the God who sees.

And over time his offspring grew,

And through the years, the more he knew,

The more the best he tried to do,

Though sometimes got it wrong.

The kids they went their separate ways,

Life changed a lot, his sadness stays,

When loved ones had their final days,

And he did not belong.

But in his final years he said,

These things I’ll do before I’m dead,

I will obey what Jesus said,

And love until the end.

This season is the happiest,

And he knows that he soon will rest,

And all because he has been blessed,

The Father’s blessing send.

“The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him…” (Psalm 103:13, NLT)

The Lord is like. a tender and compassionate father to His children, to those who reverence and worship Him. Have you come to know His fatherly tenderness? Have you experienced his patience and generosity? Or do you still view HIm as a angry judge or some other caricature? The creation reveals the Creator, but above all, the Father is revealed through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. When we receive this revelation, which is freely given to all, it motivates, inspires and encourages us to love Him with all our hearts. If your earthly father tried to show you the heavenly Father’s love, you are blessed. But even if your earthly father handicapped and hurt you, the heavenly Father will tenderly, compassionately and completely heal you. Receive the love, in Jesus name.

Lord, help us to receive and generously share Your tenderness and compassion, in Jesus’ name.

My brother, Linwood McClain, and one of the greatest Dads I know. God bless him!