A Father's Heart

Can I brag about my dad for a minute?

No, he's not perfect. In fact he's far from. He has made his mistakes. He has hurt me many times, and has caused pains I've had to take a lot of time to get over. But he's still one of the most amazing men I know.

One thing I have never questioned is my dad's love for me. I've been through seasons where I have been confused about how much, but I have always known he loved me. As an adult I see at those times of doubt he was just doing what he felt was right. My dad has a way with words that literally brings me to tears (in a good way). The way he describes to me his love are the sweetest words I could hear from the most important man in my life. He isn't shy about it either. He boldly states it without hesitation or waver. He is confident in the depth and vastness of his love for his daughter. Knowing a love like that is healing to the heart and the soul. It is warming and secure.
When I talk about how much I love my daddy I cry every single time. It's that great. I literally don't know how my human heart can hold that much love. It overwhelms me. I don't know how I got so lucky.

My dad is an incredible man in so many ways. He is wise and logical. Forgetful and stubborn. He thinks deeply, loves deeply, and works harder than any other man I know. He will listen to me for hours, as if my words are the most precious thing he will hear all day. And talks just about as much. He is passionate and curious. He is wholesome and caring. He is constant and sound, and I know if I ever need him, he'll be there.

My dad also is a constant reminder of who I am and why I do what I do. He is constantly feeding into my identity. He reminds me that I'm smart and capable. He never fails to tell me how beautiful and radiant I am. Sometimes I think he believes I hung the moon and stars  -- though we both know it's not true. He's seen all of the ugly sides of me. He knows the mistakes I've made. He has felt my anger and defiance. Yet he still knows the things that are true about me, and still loves me all the more. I'm his princess.

I realize how much I enjoy the things I do because of him. He enjoys the beauty of the outdoors, the warm-hearted sermons of country music, and has a craving to learn new things everyday. He has an impeccable eye for beauty, a love for oceans and water, and he is hands down one of the nerdiest people I know. Yet he is strong, charming, and loyal. These are all things I've been blessed to have rubbed off on me. Even in small ways.

He taught me grace. He taught me patience. He taught me work ethic.  He taught me confidence. He taught me peace and loyalty. I know without him I wouldn't know much of these things.

Today as I sat with my dad on this holiday, and enjoyed his presence. I was reminded of the joy in being truly loved.

This reminded me of the heart of our Heavenly Father. If you take away all of the flaws my earthly daddy has, and replace God's name in the paragraphs I wrote above -- these words don't do Him justice. If I am so deeply loved by the wonderful man I just described, I can only be loved more by the wonderful God I serve.

The qualities my dad holds are small in comparison to the wonder of God. He is so much more, and so much better. The realization nearly swept me off my feet.

The image of mine and my father's relationship is only a glimpse into a heavenly love. It is only a touch of what heaven tastes like -- and at this rate I can't wait to know it.