FATHER OF THE BRIDE

Dearest Father, Father of the Bride, I owe You my life.

I may not have seen clearly then, though from the moment I was born
Your compassion for me has been greater than understanding.

O, the love of a Father, my Father.

When I was a babe You fed me with milk;
as I matured You gave me meat to eat.
I can say I never was in want of any good thing.

You trained me in the way I should go.
You promised to be there always, to guard my path,
to see me through.

So faithful to Your promises are You.

Even when I walked from You believing I knew best,
You followed close behind knowing that when I was old
I surely would return.

I have returned to my first love, the love of my Father.

You gave me life as no one else could; how very full my life is.
With all of my heart I humbly seek Your face,
full of mercy, full of grace.
All You are, You've given me ~ just because by Your name I am known.

My inheritance is rich ~ purer, more precious, more beautiful
than earthly treasures could ever afford.

Father, may I never deny Your goodness.

Though the wedding bells are ringing and soon the Groom will come,
there is yet time to grow in understanding and knowledge
of who You are and who I am to be.

In patience and determination You have prepared me well.

Soon I shall be ready for my Groom, foreknown by You,
to live and dwell in the place He has prepared for me.

A marriage made in Heaven from the very beginning, and I owe it all to You.

O Father of the Bride, My Father.

5/7/95
XXXO