Dad, Your Little Girl Needs You

Without a word, this picture speaks to my heart. Our sweet little grandbaby Lillian Kate, born 5 weeks early, holding her daddy's hand.

 I imagine this is the first of many father/daughter hand holding occasions. Sweet Lily will hold her daddy's hand on walks and talks and fishing trips. During thunderstorms she'll run to her daddy for comfort and dance with him in delight through summer mud puddles. They'll hold hands and play ring around the rosey and skip to my lou! He'll hold her hand at the edge of the pool encouraging that first jump into the water and he'll dread letting go as she takes off on that first bike ride. Her dad will pat her hand walking down the aisle on her wedding day, and if the Lord allows she'll  pat Sam's at his death  (as I held my father's hand when he breathed his last and God took my daddy's hand from me). Hands are precious to God.

Being a little girl's daddy is a big responsibility because a father holds his little girl's heart in his hands. She isn't a baseball or a fly fishing rod, so be tender. Don't toss your daughter's heart to and fro because:

She'll watch her daddy to learn what God is like.

She'll look to her daddy to learn how a husband treats a wife.

She'll look to her daddy for her own self-esteem. 

Fathering little girls is scary business, Dads, but remember that God is holding your hand and He says 

 "For I am the Lord, your God, 

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 

Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13

 Call on Him and you will find Him helping you through all the joys and sorrows of your little girl's life.

With joy I welcome sweet little Lillian Kate into our arms and family. 

You are blessed, my 9th grandchild,

 for you are loved by many even before we kiss your lovely Lily face. 

Most important, 

you are loved by God, 

Who created you. 

You will hear of Jesus's love early in your life.

For that I am thankful.

 I know mommy and daddy already told you the wonderful news that

  you have a Savior who died so you might live.   

 Be blessed, my grandgirl. 

Love Jesus. 

He is holding your hands and 

He'll never let you go.

Grandchildren are sweet splashes of serenity to my soul,

The Greatest Gift a Father Gives to His Children

My dad holding his grandgirl Elizabeth, reminds me of my dad holding me.

When your parenting journey is over, how will your children remember you?

My father's influence in my life was huge! Dad loved to laugh and play, and we did. He listened to me, cried with me, guided me, and loved me when I was good and when I was naughty. He disciplined me (usually with a smile since he seemed to enjoy my antics), but he never made me feel bad about myself. He built me up when others put me down. I loved my dad and he loved me.

The day he died, I held his motionless hand and heard his last breath. It was a beautiful moment in a hospital room filled with family and Jesus. I grieved and realized There was not one second of my life that I didn't know my father loved me. What a gift Dad gave to me--the greatest gift of all--his unconditional love.

Seconds into my sad reality of life without my dear, fun, sweet dad, God zapped a warm message to my heart: Elaine, you still have a Father--and there's not a second of your life I have not loved you. What a blessing God gave to me when He comforted my sorrow with that beautiful truth.

Miss you, Dad. Miss your love, Dad. Miss our talks and walks and hugs. Just miss YOU!!! Thankful for a Heavenly Father Who continues to love and guide and give advice and hugs and laughs with me. I am blessed.

Fathers, what will your little girls remember about you? Be a splash of serenity to your children. Don't let one second of their lives go by without them knowing you love them.

"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Love is the greatest gift a dad and The Father gives His children.

Thanking God for my earthly father and my Heavenly Father on this Father's Day and feeling very loved!

Elaine