Daddy’s girl…

As I get older, I watch more and more people finish their earthly race and cross into eternity. Instead of getting used to it, I’ve actually become far more emotional about it. The ones that seem to pierce my heart the deepest, are my friends who say good-bye to their fathers. Another deeply loved friend of mind lost her daddy this week. And as I type, I cannot even begin to hold back the tears. There is something so sweet about being a daddy’s girl – unconditionally loved and supported and admired. She was an only child, and while I don’t know fully what that is like, I do understand being an only girl. I am the only person on the planet who gets to call my father “daddy.” That is an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly.

Brene Brown said courage means to live out the story of your life whole heartedly. That was my friend’s dad, and that is my dad. His heart is full of courage, and he fears no man, only God. It’s my favorite part of him, the part I most want to emulate.

So today, as my friend reflects fondly on the pillar that was her father, I want to honor my dad today. I want to put it in writing, while he is here. He would be the first person to tell you he’s not perfect. He’s made lots of mistakes, but there is no one on the earth that will see him the way I do. I heard the words, “I love you and I’m proud of you,” nearly everyday. My dad taught me a few very important things – with God all things are possible. God has a purpose and plan for my life that is greater than I could imagine. My only job is to pursue it. I’ve watched my dad live exactly what he believes. He pursues the heart and the will of God like few people I’ve ever met.

But the little things are what mean so much. I love that he’s taken my mom on a date every week, and she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world to him. I love that his greatest joy is in seeing his children succeed, and his deepest sorrow is in watching his children hurt. I loved that he was the best dancer at the father-daughter dances when I was little. I loved that he coached our basketball teams in elementary school, and gave everyone equal playing time. I loved that every night he would take off my glasses, set them on the nightstand beside my bed and cover me with a blanket. I loved that when I was out of balance between academics and school and clubs in high school, he stepped in one day, brought me breakfast and insisted I skip school and stay in bed all day.  I loved that after making a huge mistake in college and having to call humbly and ask for help, before I hung up the phone he said, “I’ll take care of it. I love you. I’m proud of you. You’re the best daughter in the whole world.” I love that he challenges me to read more, to pray more, to love more.

I overheard my dad once counseling a parent whose daughter was struggling with some poor choices. This dad was both furious and sad. My dad’s advice was this, “You can choose to echo the enemy or Jesus in your daughter’s head. She already hears I’m not good enough. I’m terrible. I’m worthless. You can choose to echo Jesus.”

And he’s right. How did God talk to His son? The first audible words we ever hear from the Father God from heaven are this,

“This is my son, whom I love, in whom I am well pleased.”

I am so grateful that he has chosen to echo Jesus to my head and heart the past 35 years. His love and encouragement are one of my most priceless treasures.

I picked up the phone today to call him and just say, “I love you,” and hear him say it back. I hung up with tears streaming down my face, because that’s the one thing that some people very near and dear to my heart cannot do today. So, I will. And if you can call your dad and tell him you love him, please do…for my friend.