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On the day when I am supposed to be the one blessing my wife and children (and I really did try to), I found myself the recipient of an unspeakable blessing.

It came in simple form - a prayer offered by my youngest daughter Keileigh. 

Last night, during our family worship, we sang two hymns: "Nothing But the Blood" and "Man of Sorrows."  I cannot explain the joy of seeing my little girl raise her hand to heaven as she sweetly sings:

This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus! 

Earlier in the day, we had studied John 6 together, where my girls heard the Savior say repeatedly, "I am the bread of life."  We talked together about what Jesus wanted those people to really understand.  They were following Him around to see signs, to trap Him in something "wrong," or to eat their fill of loaves and fish.  What those people, and we today, must come to see is that Jesus is our life!  We only need Him.  He is enough.  Period.  Jesus is the bread of life.

We also spent some time learning the answers to a catechism designed to teach us about pivtoal doctrines of the faith.  We were focused in on justification.  My girls learned three answers to three questions, but seemed to be having some difficulty grasping the reality of Jesus' perfection substituting for our defection. 

I wondered how much they were getting.  I prayed for the Holy Spirit to do the heart work of sinking the truths deeply into their minds and souls. 

Then, later that night, after singing the hymns mentioned above, we concluded our family worship as is our custom, on our knees as a family - husband, wife and two daughters.  We began to pray, and my youngest girl insisted on being the last to pray this time (that's usually my job).  I deferred this time. 

Her prayer was an unspeakable gift of grace to me on the eve of Father's Day.  My 7-year old daughter began pouring her soul out to her Lord.  She sobbed deeply while praying for God to help her mommy because her Dad had died years ago and was no longer here with her.  She thanked the Lord with these words (and I paraphrase, but nearly quote)  -

Thank You, Lord, for crushing Your Son for us.  Thank You for killing Jesus on the cross.  It should have been me hanging on that cross.  Thank You for saving us and giving us Your righteousness. 

Now, don't bother telling me a 7-year old cannot grasp justification, or atoning sacrifice.  I ain't listening! 

And the prayer of worship continued to flow out of her young heart.  This is what her mother and I have prayed for and long for, that she simply and purely be graced with a heart that is thrilled by Jesus.  The gift Keileigh gave me was a prayer to her King from a gospel heart of a child. 

Both my daughters give me overflowing joy each day, not to mention my gorgeous bride.  But last night, Keileigh's heart shone like the light of the Son! 

Thank You, Jesus.  In a million lifetimes, I could not muster up enough goodness to merit what I enjoy at Your Sovereign Hand each day.  To be surrounded by daughters of the King, to hear them sing, to hear them pray, to watch them love You and Your Word - this is what I crave for Father's Day, and each day thereafter, so long as you give me breath.  Oh, God, make it so.  For Your Name's sake, Amen.       

by Keith McWhorter