Proverbs 19:20-23
God's Plans for a Rich Life

Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
       that you may be wise in your latter end.

There are many plans in a man's heart,
       but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.
       A poor man is better than a liar.

The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment;
       he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

World English Bible

I've spent most of this weekend working up a slide show to be shown in a couple of weeks at the rehearsal dinner for my daughter's wedding. While I have enjoyed seeing pictures of her fiancé's childhood, I have been delighted and overwhelmed reliving old memories as I gathered and scanned photos from her first twenty-some years. I had forgotten the funny face she made as a toddler when we asked her to smile for the camera, or the doorbell game she used to play on the computer when she was a preschooler. I miss the evenings when we would sit and talk late into the night about friends, or music, or our favorite television show, or life. The picture I had taken of her just learning to drive a car even made me wish I could teach her another driving lesson (not that she needs it, of course.)

I think my wife and I did a good job raising this wonderful young woman, and we are amazed and blessed to be able to call her our daughter. We valued each day, for those wiser than us often reminded us that each day with our child would be precious. We loved that little girl and we love that grown-up woman with all our hearts, and she knows our love for her and God's love for her. Certainly, we provided for her, we instructed her, and we disciplined her, but most of all we loved her, Still, as I reminisce, I wish so badly that I could have more "Daddy Days" to take my little girl to play in the park—and I realize there was never such a thing as "too much time" to spend with my daughter.

Of course, there is so much that I wanted and want for my daughter, but the wonder of her life has been not what I wanted but what God wanted for her. It is so obvious to me that God has been with her, leading her steps, blessing her with opportunities to serve, and matching her with an incredible man soon to be her husband. I know that God is providing and guiding them both and God will work wonderful deeds through these two.

For all my tears when making this video this weekend, I am ready for my little girl grow up and marry. I have tried to follow the guidance of these proverbs: I have allowed the Lord's Will to guide instead of relying on my own, I have lived out my life in kindness and truth, and I have showed God love. I certainly haven't been perfect, but God grace has been more than enough to overcome my failures. I will rest well, confident in God.

Raising my only child was far too important for me to put my trust in anything else but God, but I must think in the same way about the rest of my life. God is limitless, so God can guide my marriage, my career, and even my hobbies with this same wisdom and grace. I am the only limitation to what God can do in the rest of my life. There are many more amazing blessings God can work, if I will just set aside the plans I have made and allow God's will to prevail.