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Key Bible Verse: The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to whose who fear him (Psalm 103:13). Bonus Reading: Isaiah 42:1–4

I remember my first "date" with Ashley when she was three years old. I called from the office and said, "Hi, Princess, this is Dad. I'd really like to have a special date with you tonight."

She giggled. Then I heard her say to Barbara in an excited voice, "Daddy wants to take me on a date!"

A short time later I pulled up in front of the house, walked to the front door, and knocked. When Barbara opened, I said, "Hello, ma'am, is your daughter home?" Ashley pranced out in her finest dress. We held hands as we walked to our old station wagon. I opened her door and she scrambled in.

As we drove away she slipped her little arm around my neck. We went to a restaurant and ate chocolate pie and chocolate ice cream—washed down with chocolate milk. Then we drove to a theater where Ashley had a great time crawling over the seats and occasionally watching Bambi. We ate popcorn. We spilled popcorn. We drank soft drinks. We spilled soft drinks.

On the way home, I asked, "Ashley, what was your favorite thing about tonight?"

She patted me on the arm with her little hand and said, "Just being with you, Dad."

—Dennis Rainey in Growing a Spiritually Strong Family

My Response: I could make a special time with my child by …

Thought to Apply: The higher people are in the favor of God, the more tender they are. —Martin Luther (German reformer)

Adapted from Growing a Spiritually Strong Family (Multnomah, 2002) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

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

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