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Key Bible Verse: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety (Psalm 91:2). Bonus Reading: 2 Samuel 22:17–20 or Psalm 91:1–7

As a pastor, my dad often held other people's children in his arms. Yet I knew that the space on his broad shoulders was reserved for me. This was a place of total acceptance and complete security for me. I took great joy in every invitation my father gave me to be drawn up high into his world. In fact, I don't remember ever asking to come down.

Sometimes he galloped while I giggled uncontrollably. At other times I covered his eyes and he pretended to trip and run into things as I laughed and exulted in my "power" to trigger such playful antics.

The loftiness of my position changed my perspective of my surroundings. I felt that I could see for miles, and I thoroughly enjoyed having to duck under doors.

Every problem that looked so large to me was suddenly reduced to nothing the moment Daddy lifted me to his shoulders. In one swift moment, my father could scoop me up from the place where I was being tripped over and ignored. He had a father's gift for making himself into a platform of power to restore my confidence, calm my fears, and transform the way I viewed my world.

—Amie Dockery in On Daddy's Shoulders

My Response: I'll hunt for ways to serve as a "platform of power" for a child of mine.

Thought to Apply: Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. —Francis de Sales (French priest)

Adapted from On Daddy's Shoulders (Regal, 2003) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, help me to model Your tender love to my own children.

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