A few more hours, God.  Then she takes off.  On a low and slow journey in an ancient Camry with 170,000 miles.  Thanks for arranging the new engine mount repairs!  We couldn’t have done it without You.  Hopefully the freshly changed Mobil 1 5W30 will last as long as they say it will.

Where she is going, only You know.  I’m glad that in the Bible You show us that You prepare us to go, and You will show us the way.  It seems my ship has docked here, while her speedboat is heading out into the ocean.  I know You’ll give her all the stars to guide her, the charts that outline the possibilities, and navigational buoys to speed between.

What’s so awesome about this day, Lord, is that she is doing what she knows is best.  She’s all grown up.  Really.  She knows what she wants in life, and she is confident that now is the time to seek her fame and fortune.  Clearly that is not here, and I’m glad she is going where there are so many possibilities.

I thank you, Lord, for providing a starting point there.  A place to live.  Connections.  Most importantly, for providing a drive to succeed.  You can see it, can’t You?  She’s been thinking through this for some time.  All this time here, You’ve given her more and more.  She’s been promoted at her former job, making more money.  She’s been saving.  She’s paid off debt.  She has a small stake.  And it’s just enough.

I thank You, Father, that this journey will teach her.  That You will be the source of her strength.  That You will be her strong tower.  That You will watch over her day and night.  That you will bring to her a pillar of fire by night and a column of smoke by day, to guide her path.  I know, Father, that you will in time bring her to her first real job.  And, to her first real home away from home.

I trust you, Lord, to bring Your daughter to a land flowing with milk and honey.  A land where she can work.  A land where she can rest.  To a city with a wall around it, guarded day and night by your angels.  To a place where she can worship You in spirit and in truth.

I can see the future, Lord.  Your Word shows me that in time, she will be just like her mother.  “A wife of noble character who can find?…Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  [Proverbs 31:10-31] I love reading that passage, Lord.  It gives me comfort.  Seeing her future, and knowing You are bringing her to this new place so she can become, in time, for someone, a wife of noble character, helps me.

I’ll always be her father.  I know that.  But, I know my role now is changing.  I probably will have to change the oil in the Camry still.  You know no one can do it better than me.  Maybe I’ll get to offer guidance from afar.  Facetime?  Wait, I could take a motorcycle trip to see her!  It’s hard to write, Lord, because I can’t see the screen.

I’m happy, Lord, for her.  I really am.  I know this is the right path.  I know this is the right time.  I just want You to know, Lord, she is Yours.  I can rest in that.  In Your Holy Name, I pray…Amen.