Your Father Loves You

I have two sisters that both have a birthday in August.  My two brothers have birthdays in September and November.  I am all alone with a birthday in February.  I have often spoken about being a daddy's girl and now having to share that with the other two.  I was the first girl!  I have not minded the other two until this year.....for their birthdays, one of my sister's got a fishing pole from dad, the other got a 243 rifle for hunting-both from dad!  They got gifts that connects each of them to dad. 

Needless to say, I was envious. I wasn't envious so much of the gifts- despite that the fishing pole had "My Princess" written on it in pink letters, as I was envious of the attention.  Today after a hard three weeks I finally made it to my family "lunch" as is customary after every church service.  Despite the fact that my birthday was three weeks ago, dad had a card for me. 

Dad had inserted a gift card with the inscription "Hope you can get a fishing pole at Macy's."  It was not the gift that drew me in as much as the card itself.  It read:

My Darling Daughter, Once upon a time I was your Hero....Now You're Mine.

When you were a little girl, you followed me around,
watched every move I made and tried to be just like me
No matter what I did, you were my little shadow.

I never quite felt worthy of the honor, but it made me smile all over. 
I guess it's one of the rights of parenthood, and I loved every minute of it.

But now, as I see the incredible woman you have become, it's clear how
great you turned out inspite of my example.  It's not supposed to happen
that way.  There definitely was an unseen hand in your life for which I am grateful.

You have grown into an amazing woman, exceeded all my expectations,
and left me in the dust.

Now the tables have turned...and I wish I could be just like you.

I love you, my daughter...with all my heart!

I read the card and looked at my father.  When our eyes met, they met with all the love and respect we have had for each other all these years.  My father patted his chest over his heart and simply said "It comes from here."   I can not tell you the warmth of knowing that my father loves me! Not that I ever doubted it, I just needed the reminder.

You see, it was he who taught me a love for the Word of God.  It was his detail to knowing the Bible that gave me a love for God's Word when I came to Christ.  I would often call dad and ask a question about scripture so you can imagine how humbled I felt when dad started calling me with a question or two.

You can't get anything over on him when it comes to God's Word.  His example was me seeing him at our dining room table pouring over scripture. 

Today, I have a desire to mentor women.  You see, I had a father in my life to show me the way and be my example many did not.  My word for those women is this:  Whether you had a father present in your life or not....You do have a father and He loves you.

Do not be discouraged if you do not get a card or you've never gotten a hug, or even heard a kind word from your earthly father.  You do have a Heavenly Father and your father loves you.

Thanks dad! Now I'm off to Macy's to look for a fishing pole! [yeah right.]  

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the chilfren of God! And that's what we are.  1 John 3:1