An 18-year-old teen prays that she would get to spend some time with the killer who shot his police officer father “to tell him about Jesus.”

A Tribute To Slain Police Officer Richard Houston

According to KERA-TV, on Friday, Dec. 3, Officer Richard Houston responded to a disturbance call outside a local supermarket. Then while on duty, the 21-year veteran of the Mesquite Police Department was fatally shot.

Photo Courtesy Of Mesquite Police Department Via AP

The late officer’s 18-year-old eldest daughter, Shelby Houston gave an unexpected eulogy. She shared, remembering her dad’s faithfulness to God and is glorifying Jesus in the midst of grief.

Last Text Message From Police Officer Dad

Apparently, a few days before Shelby’s dad passed away, she received a text message from him that would forever mark her.

She was preparing to preach at her church for the first time on Wednesday night when her dad sent a text message to encourage her. He gave her his full support “always and forever,” and assured her that she would do great.

Photo Courtesy | YouTube – WFAA

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“Sometimes it feels very overwhelming,” the late father wrote. “But I’m here to tell you everything will be OK. You got this. Remember that, no matter what, me and your mom got your back. Always and forever.”

“I don’t think he knew that this text would actually mean more than just another Wednesday night,” Shelby remarked.

Teen Daughter Prays To Share Jesus With Killer

The 18-year-old stressed that she doesn’t hate the person who murdered her father. Instead, the teenager is praying for him to encounter God’s love.

Shelby admits that she has always had “a tough time” dealing with assailants who “don’t know Jesus.”

Here is part what she shared:

“I remember having conversations with my dad about him losing friends and officers in the line of duty. I have heard all the stories you can think of, but I’ve always had such a hard time with how the suspect is dealt with. Not that I didn’t think there should be justice served, but my heart always ached for those who don’t know Jesus, their actions being a reflection of that.

I was always told that I would feel differently if it happened to me. But as it’s happened to my own father, I think I still feel the same. There has been anger, sadness, grief, and confusion — and part of me wishes I could despise the man who did this to my father — but I can’t get any part of my heart to hate him. All that I can find is myself hoping and praying for this man to truly know Jesus. I thought this might change if the man continued to live, but when I heard the news that he was in stable condition, part of me was relieved.”

Then, she shared her astounding prayer for the man who killed her dad.

“My prayer is that, someday down the road, I’d get to spend some time with the man who shot my father. Not to scream at him, not to yell at him, not to scold him. Simply to tell him about Jesus.”

Assurance Of Her Dad’s Faithfulness To God

”I’m resting in the obedience of my dad to the Lord,” she stressed. “In Isaiah 6:8, it says, ‘Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’’ And I don’t think my father ever knew that his ‘Yes’ to the Lord would ever end up being like this. But, as I look out to you all today, this is just a picture of the faithfulness of Jesus.”

“I know my dad is looking down today with the biggest smile on his face. In the arms of Jesus,” the teen continued. “I know as he entered the gates of Heaven, he was greeted with: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ What a moment that was.”

“In my deepest wound, I saw the glory of Jesus, and it has astounded me,” she concluded. “You’re my hero, daddy, and I’m so proud to call you my father. I love you most, and I’ll see you someday soon.”

Watch Shelby Houston’s full speech:

Reference: Faithwire