Write My Answer On A Billboard Large And Clear

~ I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon.
I'll wait to see what God says ~ Habakkuk 2:1-2
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Jun 12, 2012

A Family that Prayed Together

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11 NIV

"The Lamb of God"
Fine Inspirational Art by Nathan Green

To my Daddy –  One of God's chosen Shepherds - One who has always had something magnificent to say. If you couldn’t reach deep enough inside to find something kind to say, you said nothing at all. I love the daddy that God built into you – always and forever in my heart.

I will always remember and never forget that you prayed with each of us every night at bedtime – even in High School. Thus, I carried that same practice into my own children’s life and into my grandchildren’s life - when the opportunity is there. Generations have changed, but the memories that are framed with prayer – will never lose ground.

Your slogan while we were growing up, “A family that prays together stays together” … remains a powerful truth to me today. Prayer has always been my tool to reach all the way to heaven and sit right down with Jesus – to rest my weary soul – to share a hurting heart – a disappointment - Or when I sought direction – safety – or just a helping hand. He remains my help mate – my spiritual covering, as I endure this earthly life without a husband. In this endurance, I often feel physically alone – but never ever really alone - For my God – and your God too, is always and forever with us, around us and within us.

Prayer does change things – and although our family doesn’t look like it has ‘stayed’… through the test of time… it is my prayer – and I know it has always been yours too, that we will be together in our great Heavenly mansion one day in the sweet by and by – on that big homecoming day in the sky!

So never ever stop praying, daddy. You have been given a great assignment in your old age. As you sit resting in your reclining chair, looking out your ‘prayer window’ to the world, think of us – and remember to pray. This generation - my children and grandchildren - your great grandchildren – need our united prayers. This nation needs our prayers. Families all over the world need God’s protective hand. We must not become slack in our assignment to Pray!

May His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven – in all of our lives.

Thank you for your spiritual influence – for your prayerful heart – your loving hands and gentle ways. Thank you for teaching us to play. Those acrobatic floor maneuvers and flying through the air with the greatest of ease – remains one of those memorable times when you took time for us. Your attitude towards serving others has given me my life purpose. And dare I not forget - your ability to ‘fix’ almost anything - with whatever happened to be lying around…has trickled down to me. Given the right ingredients and His wisdom to see a matter or a thing in a different light, I too have made some pretty enlightening discoveries. It makes me smile when the Lord uses simple things to perform magnificent solutions. He showed you first – before He could show me.

You were my great mentor! And I – I am still your ‘cheerleader’!

But the most influential thing – the One True thing – you’ve given me was indeed your love for the Lord.

I too was born – was created in my mother’s womb – to love the Lord. As you have shared with me, even though I was the middle child, I was the first to be born into a ‘Christian family’. In fact, according to you, mama gave her life to Christ while carrying me in her womb – a few months before I was born . That means that I felt the Holy Spirit’s touch on mama – as He entered into her own spirit that night. In fact, that may explain why I have always felt His Presence around me – even as a small child – before I ever knew Him as my Holy Spirit. I felt His undeniable Presence – like a nail in a sure place.

He - this Presence – this Quieting Spirit – this Comforting Spirit – this Safe Place – was always there for me. And now, I know Him personally! He is mine and I am His – His warrior bride forever more – just as He is and has always been for you too, daddy. I love you, daddy – first and foremost because you introduced me to the Big Daddy in the sky. He has become My Salvation! My Everything! He is the ‘I AM’ of …My Past – My Present – and My ‘Is to come’. Therefore, I have everything that I need.

You, daddy, gave this little girl, the greatest ‘gift’ a Father could ever give to his child. Not only Love and acceptance – but you introduced me to your God – who has become my God, both now and forever more.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want for anything more. Blessed be the name of the Lord. His mercies endure forever and ever… AMEN!

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy! I love you so much…

Prayerfully,
your daughter Patrina


*  a small tidbit of information - the hand that holds the pencil on my profile icon - is the hard-working hand of my preacher Daddy! Yes, it took many many shots before we accomplished just the 'write' pose. Sadly, he no longer remembers any such photo session. But I am reminded every day.... of how a man who couldn't read - was called by that great Big Daddy in the sky - to be His chosen preacher-man - how God chose him - a young man with dyslexia - who had never read a book in his life - to teach and preach the Gospel. And the first book he ever read was The Bible! And I will never forget how my Daddy painstakingly wrote - in longhand  - all - and I mean all of his sermons for 40 + years. When God is part of the equation...magnificent things come to LIGHT! You can read more in my post - "When Grandmother Prayed"



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El Elion: The Most High Ruler

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Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Our Peace

Jehovah Mekadesh: The Lord Who Sanctifies

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Jehovah Tsikenu: The Lord My Righteousness

Jehovah Robi: The Lord My Shepherd

Immanuel: God With Us