I don't need to say this again.....Oh yes I do! I am a daddy's girl. First born girl, first girl in my family to talk, first girl to walk, and first girl to establish that relationship with my father. The other two were behind me...and I do mean behind.
I have always had a special relationship with my father long before I heard the term "daddy/daughter dates." In fact, my father and I didn't begin "dates" until I was well into adulthood. We purchased season tickets to TUTS and everytime a new show opened, we went and sat in our normal seats [which I might add were great] and we'd enjoy the show.
Another thing we enjoyed was conversation. You see with five kids, it was difficult to get conversation time...even as an adult. As an adult, you don't talk about schoolyard bullies or class work or athletics. As adults, you have career conversations and with five different careers, we all vied for time. When I was younger, I always managed to get in this conversation time. Tenacity helped, I just didn't give up. I would follow dad when he got home. I would walk behind him to his dump truck if he got home from work and it needed repairs, I would hold the light attached to the extension cord when it got dark and the others had retreated to the television or homework, I would hand him a screwdriver when he asked for a wrench. All the while, you guessed it...I was talking!
Ocassionally dad would respond and sometimes it was with a "hold the light higher" but I will never forget those times. As time went on, I found dad to be a great listener. Often times I would say "I need to talk to you....alone...in your bedroom" and we would sit on the bed where I would spill my heart. My father would respond like only a father could, with the deepest compassion and understanding. Talk about feeling loved!
Unfortunately, the other day my husband and I, along with our son Matthew were sitting at a restaurant. It was a hibachi type where you share the grill/table with six others. A man and young girl sat next to us. The girl was beautiful and about 10 years old. She was talking to her father who was scrolling through his blackberry and responding "uh huh." Of course looking at his device, he was not making eye contact with the girl. She continued to talk to him about the events that took place at school and she searched to meet his gaze which was again focused on the blackberry.
He eventually put the device down and my husband said to him "Enjoy her company....in a blink she will be gone." The man replied "Yea, she's already so big. We're out on a date!" He had it wrong. As she was calling "Daddy.....Daddy......Daddy..." he was busy. He was deaf to her request. When she called, he did not respond.
My father was never deaf to my request. He made time for conversation and although he didn't always agree with me, he was always there for me.
So it is with my Heavenly Father. He is always there when I call on him and I don't just call when I need something. Daily I call on him just to chat and to say thanks and to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness. My Heavenly Father is not too busy with technology or anything else. I am his daughter and when I call "Daddy, Daddy...." He is near!
Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:10
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