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.

Can You See Me Now?

Remember that old Verizon commercial and the guy trying to find good phone reception and kept saying “Can you hear me now?” What about that visual connection and those words, “Can you SEE me now?”

Like any parent or grandparent, I love to watch my family excel in their specific talents and abilities. I get giddy when I receive a photo by text or email of a home run made or a golf trophy they received or them receiving the spotlight because of something they succeeded at or those wonderful pictures of them giving God praise at church. Yesterday, I received a text from my son that included a press release containing some great successes with his new technology company. My “oldest” still wants me to SEE him.

I SEE them. I rejoice with them. They are my offspring and when they succeed at anything, I feel that success. In fact, if I’m there with them, I’m usually the one taking all the photos. With delight and joy in my heart, I see each one. Yes, I see their celebrations, but I also see and feel their pain when they face struggles and when their successes are far and few between, and I see when I need to amp up my prayers for them. Why wouldn’t I keep my eyes on the ones I love the most?

Psalm 34:15 says “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.” Have you ever wondered if God was seeing you after you’ve had an exhausting and discouraging day? As God's BIG kids, we want our FATHER to see us and hear us. The fact is He does see us. He does hear our prayers. And above all, He knows. Just think of it, in the midst of running the universe, God sees us and is working on our situations for our good. Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”. There’s no greater joy than seeing throughout Scripture that the Creator of the universe (our Father) deeply cares about what we’re going through and He is moving heaven and earth to help us.

"Can you see me now?" With delight and joy in my heart, I see each one of my children and grandchildren. And the reality is, I'm not just seeing them, I’m talking about them to you today. And, isn't this what we desire from God? For Him to see us. For Him to watch us -- to notice us. We want Him to get out His camera and take photos of us because He is so proud of us. And, what we forget is our Creator is already out there watching us. And whether we succeed or fail – He’s enjoying us the whole time. In fact, if He had a Facebook or Instagram account, I’m quite sure He'd be posting our pictures and saying “Look at what my children did today! They have faith in Me. They trust me. I'm so proud of them.”

And here's the truth -- the Gospel Truth -- He sees us and knows what is best for us. He loves us so much. So, let's show off for Him -- He's watching and applauding us and constantly cheering us on!

Fall is Almost Here!

Fall is Just Around the Corner
Yesterday, the cooler temperatures made for a brisk, refreshing morning walk. I had my peppy, jubilant face on and I’d exclaim to other walkers “Good morning! Isn’t this a gorgeous morning?” I sensed I was being powered by a heart of gratitude. I turned a “routine” walk into a charged-up expression of joy. I became very aware of so many reasons to be thankful.

I noticed a beautiful, stately cat sitting in a position of “king on the mountain”, observing everything like a watchman over his domain. Immediately that made me think about My Heavenly Father Who keeps a watch over me….and you. Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.” I breathed in that morning, crisp air. The fact is….I COULD breathe without devices to help me breathe. I was walking – that was a huge blessing, because since I broke two toes, it hurt too much to wear closed shoes. The day before yesterday, I was having an irritated, scratchy throat. Yesterday morning, the sore throat was gone. I heard dogs barking (they like to be ferocious watch dogs inside those protected fences, but I’m sure they’re all bark and no bite). The fact was, I COULD hear them barking. I saw gorgeous scenes – sunflowers galore, and a single yellow rose growing on a rose bush. I always like to think that’s my sweetheart reminding me of our forever love (yellow roses were our favorite). Most importantly, I COULD see. Psalm 107:1 says "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Fall/Autumn really is my favorite time of the year. I sense, just around the corner, the leaves will begin turning into their gorgeous colors and soon we'll be able to turn up the thermostat in our homes. We'll start thinking about our families gathering together, and all the other beautiful symbols of this upcoming season.

The most beautiful part of this upcoming Fall season is that attitude of gratitude that comes along with it. I was lavishing in it yesterday. And that gratitude should include thanking God for the season He has us in – right now.

Every day is a gift, and whether that day includes joy, happiness, peace and comfort or whether it's stress-filled and challenging -- we know it's a part of this season that God has us in -- and in this season God is working ALL of the season for our good. Regardless of what season we are in, let's savor everything that it holds -- because THE ONE who controls the seasons, is THE ONE who will carry us through each one. So, let’s turn up the volume on gratitude. Wake up that heart of gratitude and let’s amp up our bodies, souls and spirits to the goodness of God, the blessings He’s given us and our todays and tomorrows that are in His hands. Happy Fall, Ya’ll!!!