Editor's Note: I wrote the prayer for Father's Day last Friday and wanted to add a poem I had as well. But I kept feeling like God was saying to wait, there is something else coming to put on. So all week-end I waited, and sure enough, Sunday afternoon Tura called and said she had wrote something. She hadn't even read the prayer posted on Friday, but true to how God likes to work, it goes right along with it! Enjoy…
Our Father's Heart
The Father's heart is to sow seed in fertile ground. To rest in the fruit of a bountiful harvest.
A father toils and sweats only to fret over what might be. He does what he knows to do and then he is helpless in hoping.
[@more@]The Father's heart is to be the source of all provision for His children; sustaining them in meat and drink; clothing them more than all of nature; surrounding them with the shelter of His arms.
A father works from daylight to dark. Sometimes it's enough but the need is never-ending. The responsibility is a fearsome taskmaster that some cannot submit to.
The Father's heart is to instruct His children in all His ways, to bring discipline to their living that they may walk uprightly and honorable before all men.
A father struggles to live right and teach his children the things he can. He isn't the image that he should be and so neglects the lessons.
The Father's heart is to discipline His children in what is best for them. To draw them close, by His conviction, and lovingly put them on the right road as they repent.
A father's heart is frustrated at the failure in his children and he strives harder to control the situations that bring them pain. His own weakness is more than he can confront and so rises up in wrath.
The Father's heart is to protect His children from their enemies and all the storms that blow and billow, to guard them from the wolves in sheep's clothing and the traps along the highway.
A father's heart is broken in the struggle to keep his children out of harm's way. Sometimes he is blown off course and deceived by the wary wolf. His children are then left to their own devices.
The Father's heart is to affirm His children, to delight in their talents and share in their joy. He smiles at their pleasure, and hurts when they are wounded. He heals. He sets things right and gives them freedom to pursue their destiny.
A father wants to know his children, but finds disappointment in what he does not understand. He know not his own destiny and is jealous over theirs. His hands are helpless to heal and sometimes cause more hurt; but he holds them all the tighter.
The Father's heart is to leave an inheritance to His beloved, a posterity that is everlasting. He rest in their love and they in His.
A father leaves what he can. Some fathers just leave. There is no rest.
Most of us have "a father".
We can all have "The Father".
Thank you, Father, for all those fathers who are trying to be what you have called them to be. They are the foundation of the family. You are a Father to the fatherless. You are a firm Foundation.
written by Tura Zapata