Tribute to Fathers

In a few short weeks, I will be making one of the biggest transitions of my life- a transition that young girls dream about as soon as they can wrap their minds around the fantasy of marriage.  My father will walk me down the aisle and give me away to the man that God has called me to spend the rest of my life with. (I won’t claim the more commonly used “man of my dreams” as I left my heart open for a real pleasant surprise!) This will change everything- including my relationship with my dad, but I only anticipate growth from the solid foundation that he set for me.

I am able to attribute any positive character trait or accomplishment that I've made to my parents and the values that they poured into me. Though I deeply cherish the relationship I have with my amazing mother, there is something unique and special between a girl and her dad. If a daughter is so blessed as to have loving father figure in her life, this is a treasure that should never be taken for granted.

It’s somewhat painful for me to look back at old photos of myself. We all endure our awkward phases, but that that phrase is an understatement for those fragile years that seemed to overstay their welcome in my world. The strange thing is, I remember feeling happy and secure through those years – and I know exactly why. My dad challenged me, but he also praised and encouraged me often. Whether I measured up to my peers or not, he made me feel like “the bomb” (as this was the trending aspiration in 2001).

I oversee our local ministry in Fort Worth, Texas, mobilizing volunteers to build relationships in our city. We have rooted ourselves in communities that are severely lacking in positive male figures. I hope and pray for the large populations of little girls and boys who grow up much faster than they should have to, that there is someone in their life telling them the things that every child needs to hear. The things my father said to me, the things my fiancé will tell our children one day.

Thank you dad for telling me that you were proud of me when I felt average, that you loved me when I felt left out, that I mattered when I questioned my significance, that you believed in me when I was unsure.

Though you may have been robbed of an ideal relationship with your earthly father, I would encourage every woman to seek the heart of her heavenly Father, who provides everything we need to be filled. If you are fortunate enough to have a dad who exudes the love of Father God, please never take that relationship for granted. It’s rare and it’s worth more than you realize.