Daddy Daughter Love


Going to church this past weekend, I watched as a little girl, wearing a pretty dress, tights, patent leather shoes and a coat with a fur collar, held her Dad's hand and walked into the lobby.  I saw her looking intently at her Dad as he signed her into kid's ministry, and I noted her delight when he picked her up to carry her to her classroom.

This little girl was happy, she was carefree, she was confident, and she was loved.

I remembered being that little girl.

Unfortunately, somewhere along life's bumpy rocky road, some of that happiness, some of that sense of love, some of that confidence, and some of the joie de vivre left me.

It was a gradual erosion, so I didn't really notice it - but Jim did.  

When we reconnected after years of being apart, Jim says he no longer recognized the woman I'd become.  He contends that I was a "shell" of my former self, someone who seemed "lost", "downtrodden", and "searching".

You see at that point - I had fallen away from God.  

And while as a child I had attended Sunday school and believed in my heart the words, "Jesus loves me this I know...", as an adult trying to do things "on my own" I had ceased to feel the unconditional love and acceptance that little girl walking into church reminded me of.

Thankfully - my discontentment led me to the foot of the cross.  

I knew that there HAD to be something better.  I knew that I had mucked up my life by trying to control it.  I knew the things I'd valued and chased after didn't make me happy when I had them, and I sensed I needed God.  

I turned to Him and asked that He take control of my life, and I vowed to make him my first priority no matter the cost.  

When I did - EVERYTHING changed.

Sunday, as I watched the little girl - I smiled, because, once again, I am HER.

I KNOW the love that little girl feels for her Father.  I FEEL the love my Father has for me.  I UNDERSTAND the feeling of safety, of happiness, of being cared for, and of being truly and deeply cherished.  And I am CONFIDENT and WORRY-FREE about my future, because I know my Daddy's got me.

If you are someone who feels sad, and lost, and like there MUST be something more - remember you have a Father who loves you deeply.  Grab hold of Him.

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3





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