The Handoff

It feels like a long time since the days of me finding this little girl after a game I had coached

Or later on as she grew and became my sidekick. Always enjoying life, with a side of attitude

Being a girl dad to Kara is one of my life’s most enjoyable blessings. Through the sporting events, injuries and sicknesses, successes and mistakes; I have laughed a lot, cried my share, and wouldn’t trade even the hard(er) moments for anything.

The list of mistakes I’ve made as her dad are long and regrettable. But, one thing that was important to me was praying for her since she was born. I have often prayed for her heart, for her mind, for her body. For her to be successful. For her to be treated well. For her to find what makes her tick and what the Lord has created her to be. I have prayed for her to be safe and wise; for her to have confidence; and for her to chase after God’s heart in a lifelong pursuit of sanctification.

One particular prayer I have voiced over the years is that God would be cultivating the heart of the person He created specifically to share life with my Kara. Let this young man love Christ and desire to seek His will for his own life, and later theirs together. And allow me, when the day comes, to easily hand off Kara’s care to him.

This afternoon, Kara and Michael will join together in an answer to that prayer.

(For those of you thinking you’ve missed out, it is a small ceremony with just their parents in attendance. But, stay tuned. . . reception coming in June where you can come and love on them).

I will say a few things that dads say, smile with joy in my heart for my daughter, then watch them drive away together. . . . handoff complete.

The moment that I will remember, though, is last Sunday morning. Kara had come home for the weekend and was with me in worship service. Jaclyn and JP were in kids’ church and Gabe was at another church for the morning, so it was just me and Kara. And my heart was full getting to worship the King. Not just standing next to my daughter. But with my daughter. With my mind and heart going a million miles an hour, fast-forwarding through 22+ years in just a few minutes.

Congratulations, Kara. I’m so proud of you.

And, welcome to the family, Michael. While I don’t take this hand-off lightly, I do it easily. Trusting in the Lord. . . and in you.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10