"Daddy"

“Daddy”

Abba,

You saw how he used

To chase after me

With such delight—

How his face was the sun

And his love a burning furnace.

Father,

You heard my sweet laughter—

Rejoicing with all your being

When my dad

Held me in his arms.

How right that long-lost scene was!

You were so present

In that picture of father and daughter.

Did I outgrow

Such sincere affection?

For now, my beloved Creator,

I cannot watch those old home videos

Without the sharp sting of change and absence

Blazing in my tears.

Why, Abba?

Why does the note always say,

“I love you

–Mom”

And never

“I love you

-Dad.”

Is his God-given light of love

Simply hidden in mazes

Of self-criticism,

Or was it ever really there?

Heal me, Father,

Heal me!

Find some way to reconcile

The groaning pain in my heart

With your sufficient love.

Please,

Show me that you are

My true and ultimate Father!

Show me what it means

To say, “Abba.”