Daddy’s Girl

Yesterday was my girl’s birthday and, quite unlike me, I wasn’t with her because I was on “Nana Duty” in Austin. I called her and we talked about how much she was always a Daddy’s Girl. No, he wasn’t the hands-on, diaper changing, feeding or the one who got up with her in the middle of the night – that’s when she was Mama’s girl. But when it came to matters of seizing the opportunity to turn her little “charcoal” into a “diamond”, he showed up. She was his "project". He saw her God-given abilities and was relentless in cultivating her talents the rest of his life. He never stopped encouraging her and giving her wise advice. And, because she embraced his words, more and more doors opened to her.

Staci was in 20-degrees Colorado last week and I asked when we talked by phone, “I hear your Dad’s voice…..’Are you wearing a coat?’” He was known for being the “mother hen” to be sure she was taking care of her voice. Then with her travels, “Did you take your soundtracks?” (Randomly, she would be asked to sing at an event, and he wanted her to always be prepared.) I still hear him advising her: “Stop talking so much – you need to rest your voice!” "Pronounce your words clearly!" “Smile!" "Get closer to the mic!" She gives her Daddy so much credit for who she is today. I’ve proudly loved their relationship. He was her knight in shining armor and I was so thrilled to witness their unbreakable bond that grew beyond imagination.

She knows that it has never bothered me that she gives her Dad so much credit for who she is today. He was, himself, incredibly talented, and he poured those talents into her, both genetically and with hours upon hours of personal training. His investment into her has paid off in monumental ways.

As I drove to Austin, I was thinking about my relationship with my Father – not my earthly Dad, because he was very sick and passed away when I was 15, but my Heavenly Father. I’m Daddy’s Girl, too! There were times when I was struggling with “stuff” and I envisioned myself crawling up in God’s lap and seeing Him wrapping His arms around me and assuring me “Everything’s gonna’ be alright!” And, it was. I’m a Daddy’s Girl. I assure you I know how much He loves me. I have come to know His protection and security. He instructs me daily through His Holy Spirit Who lives big in me. I know it is Him when I’m reminded to do this or that better. When I feel less than proud of myself, He’ll remind me how proud He is of me.

Let me assure you “YOU are God’s girl or boy, too!” Our Father loves us. How do we know that we are fully loved by God? Because His Word tells us so. One of my favorite verses that talks about the depth of God’s love is found in Psalm 103:11: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.” He believes in us and is eager to help when we ask Him. He is for us as our protector, mentor, helper, and friend.

The more I sense God’s love, the more I know I’m Daddy’s girl.
My girl didn’t have to earn her Daddy’s love. And neither do we have to earn God’s love. God’s love is stronger and deeper than any human father’s love. In God, we have a Dad Who knows us and understands us better than anyone. He sees our heart and desire to be good; He sees our struggles and how we are drawn to things that aren’t good for us. He is always there to listen and help when we pray to Him with a sincere and humble heart. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15.

Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl!

My obstetrician was going on a 2-week vacation right when my baby was due, and since he had been my "go-to" doc throughout my pregnancy, I didn't want to take a chance on him not being there for me. Doc told me the baby was "fully cooked" so "Let's help her make her debut on Monday", and that's what we did. Back in those days, most of us were "out" when the baby arrived, while the dads were in the Waiting Room.

When I woke up, my husband said, "Sweetheart, you've got your girl." Oh, the inexpressible joy that I felt. Of course, I would have had that joy if God had blessed us with another boy, but, I loved that God's plan was for this precious baby girl, born today, December 8th.

I'm celebrating that precious girl today because I've seen God's purposes for her life being fulfilled in some of the most miraculous and tremendous ways. For the first months of her life, she was a sick little baby with having many bouts of pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Not only did the enemy lose that battle, but he lost it in trying to steal our faith. She was ultimately healed, and my husband and our faith grew exponentially. "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good." Genesis 50:20

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project". He understood right from the beginning that she was special, and that God was going to use her life in many ways. He was her sports, voice, stage and life coach. You think a Stage Mom is something. You should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl. So many times in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention with Daddy who was relentless in pulling out the best in her. "Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy. He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear to be on the stage, to belt out another song on camera, to speak to huge audiences, and be with high profile people. But more than all of that, her name, Staci Michelle -- "resurrection life" and "close to God" have held true. She has brought so much life to us and so many others. She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

I spoke at her surprise birthday party with close friends two nights ago and said, “Seedtime and harvest”. Her Daddy and I planted many seeds of faith into her from her very beginning – she knew that the enemy lost his battle on stealing her life at a young age and she has been giving him “hell” ever since with her relentless passion to change the world. Now, more than ever, it seems those seeds are producing a harvest beyond our wildest dreams.

As I'm typing this, I know I must sound like a proud and braggadocios Mom. In a sense, I am, because our greatest investment paid off. The time we invested into her -- through tears and time and finances -- paid off. I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell you, Moms and Dads, out there -- "INVEST in your kids. Take time to give them the best of you. Cultivate their talents. Speak into them that they can do and be anything that God wants them to be. Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him". What a payback for an investor! The payback of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward. And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family -- it spreads to others -- these seeds bear fruit in so many other people's lives. I promise you....after many, many years of investing into what matters most, it is worth every effort. Just imagine what your investment will reap in rewards.

Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl!

Day 342 of Photo Inspirations -- Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl
My obstetrician was going on a 2-week vacation right when my baby was due, and since he had been my "go-to" doc throughout my pregnancy, I didn't want to take a chance on him not being there for me.  Doc told me the baby was "fully cooked" so "Let's help her make her debut on Monday", and that's what we did.  Back in those days, most of us were "out" when the baby arrived, while the dads were in the Waiting Room.

When I woke up, my husband said, "Sweetheart, you've got your girl."  Oh, the inexpressible joy that I felt.  Of course, I would have had that joy if God had blessed us with another boy, but, I loved that God's plan was for this precious baby girl, born today, December 8th.....quite a few years ago.

I'm celebrating that precious girl today,  because I've seen God's purposes for her life being fulfilled in some of the most miraculous and tremendous ways.   For the first months of her life she was a sick little baby with having many bouts of pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.  Not only did the enemy lose that battle, but he lost it in trying to steal our faith.  She was ultimately healed, and my husband and I grew exponentially in our faith.  "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good."  Genesis 50:20

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project".  He understood right from the beginning that she was special, and that God was going to use her life in many ways.   He was her sports, voice, stage and life coach.  You think a Stage Mom is something, you should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl.  So many times in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention with Daddy who was relentless in pulling out the best in her.  "Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy.  He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear to be on the stage, to belt out another song on camera, to speak to huge audiences, and be with high profile people.  But more than all of that, her name Staci Michelle -- "resurrection life" and "be like God" have held true.   She has brought so much life to us and others.   She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

As I'm typing this, I know I must sound like a bragadocious and proud Mom.  In a sense, I am, because our greatest investment paid off.  The time we invested into her -- through tears and time and finances -- paid off.  I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell you moms and dads out there -- "INVEST in your kids.  Take time to give them the best of you.  Cultivate their talents.  Speak into them that they can do and be anything that God wants them to be.  Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him".   What a pay-back for an investor!  The pay-back of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward.  And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family -- it spreads to others -- these seeds bear fruit in so many other people's lives.  I promise you....after many, many years of investing into what matters most, it is worth every effort.

Just imagine what your investment will reap in rewards.

Giving Thanks For the Daughter I Prayed and Dreamed For

MY STACI's Birthday is today -- December 8th.  I’m celebrating my girl today!  And, of course, my thoughts go to this special day when my dreams came true.....God gave me YOU!     Wow!  He loves me so much to have given me the full package -- a girl that has charm, wit, personality, beauty, strength, athleticism, tenderness, talent, and skilled in so many areas of life, but the best part, He gave me a best friend, a confidant, a mentor and a leader I can look up to and, even better.....a daughter who follows God’s voice so passionately.  I don’t think I could have thought of so much for one full package deal.....but I’m so thankful that God did.
   
I think about the legacy of those who had so little in this world‘s definition of wealth....like Mamaw, but whose prayers cultivated the soil for our seedtime and harvest today.  I think about your sweet Daddy, who if there ever were a “Daddy’s Girl”, you were it.  You gave him, so much to live for, to be passionate about, and to pour into you everything he had!  And he sure did a good job!  His life and heart’s desires live on in you.   I have so many memories of my precious little girl who always dreamed she could be anything she wanted to be.....because she was a dreamer.  But, she never stopped with just dreaming -- she was a doer.....and go getter.  With determination and tenacity, she pursued her dreams and never gave up.  She always knew that God put the dreams there, and He would make the dreams become reality.  And, indeed, so many doors opened to her.   And, in the middle of her dreams and many activities, she never stopped caring for others.  She always found the time to help one more, because, like her name which means “resurrection life” -- has been resurrection life to so many.

And now just look at who the dreamer became......
an amazing Wife & Mother
an incredible Vocalist
an outstanding Trainer
a Leader worth following,
a compassionate Caregiver,
a Mentor and Role Model,
 a bold Risk Taker,
 an all-star Athlete,
a resilient Never Quit Warrior
a loving and devoted Friend to many.
All such amazing qualities of a mighty woman of God who lives on purpose and in the destiny God created her for!
In the world of so many, it would be an honor and a privilege to just know, and be known, by such a tremendous and notable woman!
How blessed I am to be her Mama!
I love you so much my precious daughter!
Happy, Happy, Birthday!
Mom