To My Niece, Lily

When I first held you in my arms
Everything stopped
There was no one else
And time did not disturb
As I held the most precious thing
That I had ever known
I felt so inadequate
And the world was so dangerous
And you were so small
I knew one day you would need help
And that I would not be there
And that you would be alone.
So I prayed this prayer:

Lord, you who are above all gods,
You who have made the heavens and the earth
You who know the hearts of all men,
The Lord of lords and the God of gods,
Cause the light of your face to shine upon this girl
And give to her the knowledge of your son Jesus-
For there is no other name under heaven by which men may be saved.

And I will continue to pray this prayer
While there is yet breath in my lungs
Sleep well, precious one,
No sparrow falls.