This week we bid a sorrowful, but joyful farewell to our youngest daughter, Bethany (who is also our Instagram manager), as she leaves our home to follow our God to South Africa.
This departure has been a long. time. coming. And yet it hits me like a ton of bricks. Moving at the speed of light.
I think a lot of Dad’s feel this way whenever they watch their precious daughter set off and on her own, whether it’s across the ocean or just across the state, but I have a deep and abiding confidence in how my daughter will fare where she’s going. Because I know she’s following her Lord; our Lord. You really can’t go wrong there.
And if you didn’t know, this is just what my wife, Julie, and I most desire for you.
Yes, we’d love to empower you to understand, prepare for, and discern God’s calling in marriage. That’s why our ministry is called Future Marriage University. And yes, we want to equip you to date with wisdom and joy, with purpose and passion, and in holiness and freedom, so you are more likely to enter a life-giving, life-long marriage. That’s why we offer Date Night Advice (DNA). However…
Walking in the principles we share here isn’t ultimately about leading you to the one earthly love with whom you will one day share a home, but teaching you to trust and obey your First Love with whom you will one day spend eternity.
So, whatever your hopes for the future may be, here is the song of blessing I wrote and sang at Bethany’s going away party. I pray it will bless you as well.
Go Well
Go well. Stay well.
Go boldly. Stay humbly.
Follow the Lord, where’er He leads.
Trust all His ways. He knows Your needs.
And as you delight yourself in the Lord
He delights to give you the desires of your heart.
So go well, my baby girl. Stay well, my precious pearl.
Go boldly into the world. Stay humbly His precious pearl.
Chase after truth and flee from sin!
In all your ways acknowledge Him.
And as you learn to fear the Lord, and Him alone,
You learn that you have nothing left to fear.
So go well, my baby girl. Stay well, my precious pearl.
Go boldly into the world. Stay humbly His precious pearl.
I give you to God the way He gave you to me:
In joy and love, trusting your precious soul to me!
[to those gathered] I give her to God the way He gave her to me:
In joy and love, trusting her precious soul to me!
[to God] I give her to You the way You gave her to me:
In joy and love, trusting her precious soul to Thee!
For You gave Your own for me!
[to those gathered] He gave His Son for me!
[to Bethany] So i can set You free!
So go well, my baby girl. Stay well, my precious pearl.
Go boldly into the world. Stay humbly His precious pearl.
Hope those words spoke to you and hope you’ll pray for my daughter whenever God brings her to mind.
And if you didn’t know, we pray for YOU TOO. So be sure to reach out to us via email with any specific requests.
DNA: It’s What’s For Dating
Dug this weekend’s DNA? Be a good friend and share with your friends on the social media platform of choice: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
The LoveEd discipleship series, Beyond Sex & Salvation, will empower you to prepare for relational success when it counts: BEFORE you fall in love!
It’s NOT for couples, but for any wise individual who thinks they might want to get married sometime before they die. And would like to learn how to better build healthy relationships in the meantime.
Check out all three study guides in our store. You can walk through them on your own, but it’s more fun with friends (that and it kinda makes sense to grow in relational success in actual relationships with others), so consider putting together an FMU LoveEd small group study.
Even better? And ask a rock star married couple you respect to lead it!
