You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand – Psalm 16:11

I passed them on my way to the office, father and daughter, at the gate of their house. Her innocent smile caught my attention. Young, tall and slender; she was well groomed. There was an aura of innocence about her that took me back to those days with my first daughter. I sensed excitement in her face – the look of a teenager anticipating a new experience. What could it be?

They passed me a few minutes later. Their conversation had intensified. I tried to get close enough to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t keep pace. I tried to guess what they were up to.

By the way, what is a preacher walking to his office doing by messing up his mind on a teenager and her father, happily locked in step with each other to who knows where? But my curiosity wouldn’t leave me.

That’s it! It’s almost that time when public schools reopen in Dakar. She is excited about the new school she has been pestering daddy to get her into. It is her dream school, and finally, the day has come. She can’t wait to see the principal’s office and to have her admission letter in her hands. How could she have slept last night, but to wait for this moment? That’s the lightness in her walk and that explains the brightness in her face.

The crowd didn’t matter to her. There were drivers caught in traffic and sweating. Some were angry and honking. Some argued with other drivers for some traffic infraction against each other. Others peered despondently ahead, not sure how things would settle for them for the day. But darling girl walked innocently on the arm of her father, oblivious to all the cares around her. There was nothing to worry about. She was in the company of her father. Nothing to fear or to stress about. But she is not relishing the moment alone.

Daddy looked happy too. What father would not cherish a walk with such a contented daughter? When a dear child is happy, a loving and caring father rejoices too. Money didn’t matter to this father. Maybe balancing the checkbook may bring a momentary frown, but for now, the confidence of his daughter was his delight. As they pulled away from me, the preacher finally understood his captured mind with this darling little girl with her father.

That is how God wants to walk with us at the beginning of each day. After breakfast with Him in His word and talking the day over in prayer, God wants to step out with us into the day with confidence and joy in our hearts. He wants to hold our hand with assurance that everything will check out on His list for us for the day. Our countenance should be bright. Our walk must be firm. Our heart must be trusting, and our minds must be focused on Him. There should be no fear or anxiety around us, but His peace guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7). Why?

Because your Father in heaven walks with you to delight your heart with every good thing. So, rejoice in His company wherever you go today.