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“Dad, just leave me alone!” I’m guilty of those words. I was
hurt, upset, and not ready to talk to anyone at that moment. Yet, as I leaned
with my back against the door and tears streaming down my cheeks my heart
wanted to scream “Please! Don’t Go! Don’t ever leave me alone truly!” He
usually stands there, outside my door, waiting for me to compose myself enough
to open it so we can talk out our issues, hug and make up. This day, months
ago, was different though, I said those ugly words in frustration and when I
finally did open the door, he wasn’t standing there. He had walked away to
another room and left me alone just as I had demanded. I was hurt even worse,
even forgetting the original offence. Now I only sobbed because I had pushed
him away in a time when I needed him so badly; and he listened.
Dads, I’m gonna talk to you for a moment, don’t listen to
us! We’re girls. We’re sinful, imperfect, hormonal girls. The things that come
out of our mouths in moments of frustration are hurtful to you and wrong, yes;
but please, don’t walk away!
I want you all to know that my dad and I did resolve that
situation. Forgiveness was offered all around and we both learned from it. But
the fact still remains, dads we need you to be there for us, even when we’re in
the wrong.
You can always tell
what a girl’s relationship with her dad is by how she acts. This can be a
very sad reality for some. A girl who is being filled by her dad won’t need to
seek out other sources to satisfy the void. A girl whose father encourages
modesty and calls her beautiful while being so won’t have a desire to reveal
herself in order to feel pretty. A girl who feels loved and cherished by her
daddy won’t have an emptiness urging her to find that same value in the
quickest way possible.
Dads your role in
your daughter’s life is essential!
Every ounce of energy that you pour into her right now, even
if it seems to fall on deaf ears, will come to fruition. We notice and, even if
we don’t say anything, we love you for it. Don’t stop just because we roll our
eyes; but by all means reprimand (in a godly way) the eye roll! Tell your
daughter yet today that you love her, and every day after. Pray for your
daughter, lift her up before God. There’s no better place for her to be. Make a
purposeful time to spend time with her- in my house we call these daddy- daughter
dates and they don’t have to cost money, only time. Surprise her with something special every now
and again: maybe her favorite 99 cent candy bar or an impromptu dance session
during dishes. It’s the little things that you do with and for her that can
change your relationship in HUGE ways; believe me, I know!
Now for the young ladies still with me, your turn! (Did you
think I’d forget?) Girls, show your dad some respect! I’ll cite the verse just
for the sake of it, but we all know it.
“Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ‘Honor
your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—“ [Ephesians
6:1-2]
Honor. That’s the key word here, ladies. Honor is a word
meaning respect, obey and (dare I say it?) cherish. Your dad, even with all his
faults and shortcomings, is still just that- your dad. Right now, in your state
of waiting, he is what the Lord has given to you as your protector, your
spiritual head. Pray for him. Respect him. Love him. I have been blessed with a
wonderful father, this may not be the case for most of you, but either way our
responsibility is still the same: honor. It very well may be through your love
and respect that your father may be brought closer to God.
So girls, don’t be like me. Don’t push your dad away in your
hurt and frustration, and if you have, resolve that yet today. Always be quick
to ask for forgiveness, and even quicker to offer it. This man that God has
blessed you with is a one and only, there’ll never be another like him. Thank
God for him.
Dads, I ask just one more thing of you: please, always stand
outside our door.
