Sweet 16

Today my oldest daughter is
16.
In the hospital, 16 years ago
I was waiting for
the delivery of a precious
miracle in my life.
We lived in Emporia
in that little house in the country.
Dale worked at Blockbuster
and the Farm.
I worked at
Heritage Bookstore.
Our hearts were broken
from a tragic ministry situation.
Our marriage was explosive.
We were weak and poor
in every possible way
until Kennedy was gifted to us.
Even the thought of her little life
snapped us out of our
self-destructive pity party.
She gave us hope
that the God of the Universe
held our hearts
regardless of the messes we had made,
and placed in our hands
a precious gem
to tend and care for in this life.
He gave us light and hope and peace.

Now 16 years later,
we are living the dream.
Our sweet girl is becoming
a lovely godly woman
before our eyes.
It's the stamp of a loving Father
tending his sheep
with tender loving care.
Does it get any better than this?
Thank you, Lord.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.