I gave my daughter away last Saturday. Now that statement by itself sounds awful, but then we read in Genesis 3:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And that brings me comfort, that warms my heart, because over the past few years I’ve seen my daughter, and my son-in-law act as one through some highs and some lows.

In Eph 5:33 Paul writes, “Let each one of you men, love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” All any father can hope for, pray for, is a man who puts his daughter above himself, and commits to a lifetime of loving her, and that prayer’s been answered in the affirmative.

Yes, last Saturday I gave my daughter away, but today I’m a peaceful and contented father, and father-in-law. Lord, bless them with happiness and a healthy and long journey together.

The Bestowing
As I sit by the window, coffee in hand
And the sun begins to shadow the sound
My mind drifts to memories, of a little girl
That will later be clothed in a gown
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
Where I’ll give my daughter away for keeps

He loves her as much as I could expect
Maybe a little more
And it gives my heart solace, as a piece breaks off
To know that he’ll catch it before it hits the floor
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

She’s waited what seems like all of her life
To arrive at this moment in time
A moment that’ll be covered with tears of joy
And no doubt some will be mine
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

~ E.M.
September 14, 2024