Daddies and Daughters

From the skinned-knee tomboy on the monkey bars, to the budding artist at her easel, and the darling diva with her karaoke machine, it seems to me that little girls always want the loving approval of their daddies. Not just a "Way to go!" or a pat on the back, little girls -and even us grown up little girls - want an adoring gaze, a loving hug, or a hand held in appreciation. We never get too old to bask in the love of a father. Instead of showing my Dad my dance moves or my drawings, I send him my grad school papers, text him with theology questions, and call him for parenting help. I still get to be his half-pint, even when I feel like a gallon-full!

But we live on earth and not all father's here are perfect. I like to think that mine is pretty close, though (Dad, are you reading this???) Sadly, some are downright lousy. If you've experienced pain or hurt at the hands of your earthly dad, then my heart goes out to you. Maybe you are still be seeking his approval, even if you never got it as a child.

Thankfully, we have a Heavenly Father that we can always run to with booboos, and heartbreaks, mistakes, successes, and hurts, and lots of need for approval. We don't ever have to earn His approval. We've already got it. And if we accomplish nothing else in this life, we can bask continually in the love of our Heavenly Daddy who wants to heal our hurts, show us His unfailing love, and give all of us little girls - big and small- His total approval. Won't you bask in His love today?

 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:9, 16-18 NIV)