A Teacher’s Prayer

A Teacher’s Prayer

A boy named Cody suddenly smiled in Bible class that day
when someone said “Daddy’s come, to take his boy away.”

The toddler turned, looked toward the door that housed an unknown face,
The smile was gone. A bitterly whispered, “Daddy?” took its place.

His peace was gone. His playtime dashed. He scanned the room in vain.
He longed to see the familiar one. His hopes began to wane.

He looked at me, climbed on board, and nestled up real tight.
I wasn’t Dad, but I would do, ‘til daddy came in sight.

Some other teachers helping there who had some time for free
offered arms to take the boy. He wailed and clung to me.

So there I was, the boy and me, waiting for his dad.
Both recognized that only one could truly make him glad.

A face appeared. His name was called. “Daddy!” yelled from little lips.
Then arms stretched out and tousled hair. And we exchanged some quips.

“He gets his strength from you,” I said. “He can only last so long.
He’s wired to you. He’s plugged right in. You are his joy and song”.

Still locked in arms and cradled tight, they turned and walked away.
The boy did not look not back to smile. He had nothing more to say,

His world was right in Daddy’s arms. His peace was back for good.
Which leads me to share with you this prayer if I could:

My Daddy God, thank you now for this toddler boy
who showed me how to cling to you, instead of temporal toys.

Help me draw my strength from you, and from you alone
reach only for your loving arms, and recognize my home.

Be my peace and shrieks of joy will come out from my mouth,
when you my Daddy, hold me close, whether we go north or south.

I tell you though, I’ll go alone. I’ll step out every day.
But only if you place me there will I run and play.

But draw me back my Lord and King, my Daddy God always
at end of day, to lay me down, in peace with you to stay.