A young daddy stood gazing at his new baby as she nursed. He filled up with emotions he'd not felt before. His wife never looked so adorable, his baby stunned him with wonder. He recalled lines from a poem by George McDonald,

"Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere, into the here."

Inside his heart he heard himself making this vow:
I will take care of my wife and my child like a real man. They are now the treasure I will esteem and guard with my life. Every decision of my life will encompass regard for their needs and their good. I will happily pursue avenues for their highest aspirations and capabilities. As regards their welfare, the word 'sacrifice' is hereby stricken from my lexicon. Their flourishing shall be my soul's gladness and delight. My joy and sorrow shall be inseparable from theirs.

What happens in the heart of a mommy or daddy, or one who is given the care of a little one. A deep thing is called up from a mysterious place. We're struck with strange and holy notions mixed with the trepidation of self-doubt. The realization occurs that only one choice seems right - to go all in, come what may. Then rises courage. Faintly at first, then stronger.

Such inclinations are sewn into our souls by our Maker. We've learned to fear and hold suspect this 'distant God, who sends storms and lies in wait for our demise.' Someone lied to us, and we owe it to ourselves and those with whom we interface, to look again into what we believe. He is declared to be the God of all comfort. Listen to these words spoken over His children. Say them out loud. See if you can find in the spirit of them the very fragrance you detected in the young daddy above. Consider that he may have inherited that. Once you read this promise, consider recalibrating your thoughts about the motives and intentions of a Father who speaks like this to His own:

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul. Jer.32:38-41

Bob Weidman