I’m a daddy’s girl! Yup, for me my daddy will always be bigger and stronger than your daddy.
From the time I was growing up, my daddy always had my best interest at heart; even when he made unconventional decisions. When I was in my early teens and started playing basketball, my daddy built me a basketball court in our front yard.
Hold that “wow”, let me explain. Nothing was to specifications. Of course, there was a backboard and a hoop, but instead of the strategically placed square on the backboard, daddy preferred to paint a circle in its place. A basketball was too expensive, so he found me a free football.
So, now you can sympathise with me and understand why I grew up to become a “less than average” basketball player?
I majored in Business Studies at secondary school and took up Typewriting in fourth form, when I was fourteen years old. When daddy heard that I needed a typewriter in order to complete my assignments, off he went to purchase one. But this was no ordinary typewriter; it was an Olivetti typewriter, circa 1975 (I went to school in the 90’s).
Think about that old tv show, “Murder She Wrote” starring Angela Lansbury ... Nevertheless, I never doubted that my daddy loved me, and he always provided as best as he could afford to, or knew how to!
Let’s figure it out together
About seven years ago when my life came painfully crashing down, I ran back to my daddy’s arms, and he said “Come home, we will figure it out together.” We did! I moved back home into my tiny childhood bedroom for a season.
This meant that my family and I shared cramped quarters until I was able to get back on my feet 1 year later. He has always been and will always be my 6’ 1" hero!
Love one another
Whenever I hear the story of the prodigal son, it makes me all warm, fuzzy and nostalgic. I think about the demonstration of God’s love typified but unmatched by an earthly father’s love. Plus, the total forgiveness of a wayward child and their acceptance back into a family that was hoping and waiting for his return, is almost unfathamoble today.
God has asked us to love one another, just as He shows His love for us. This, He said is a key characteristic of being His disciples.
John chapter 13, verses 34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Well, I can love just as good as the best of them, when the relationship or encounter is going my way. But, the minute that a circumstance is less than perfect or satisfying (by my standards), I’m back to my old fleshly ways and I adopt a “too blessed to be stressed” unchristian like attitude.
Love unconditionally
How can we love unconditionally like our Heavenly Father?
Well, for me, I just remember my daddy, that homemade basketball court and my outdated Olivetti typewriter.
We can love with the gifts and abilities we have been given and demonstrate love using Christ as our ultimate example. He loved those who society described as unlovable. Like the woman at the well, the man possessed by demons, the woman caught in adultery and on my worst days, me.
Our commission is to GO and reach the un-reached, and to let love be our main credential. We should just be love demonstrated, and let God do what He does best! You be a Daddy’s girl (or boy) and reflect His image, then watch as the ultimate example of a Father’s love brings others into Him.