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Monday, June 18, 2007

Three Looks at Fathers and Daughters

"...in my father lies an example of faithful devotion to God—steady—through times of great blessing and adversity."

Editorial by Aimee Herd (June 18th, 2007)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Although Father's Day has passed, it's not too late to recognize the importance of the father-daughter relationship. Partially due to this fact, and also at the urging of some of our readers, I offer the following true and personal glimpses of fathers whom I have witnessed in my own life. –Aimee Herd, BCN.

(Albany, Oregon)—Our first curtain pulls back, revealing an ordinary, suburban kitchen. My mother checks the oven at one end, while in the opposite corner a medium-tall man—freshly home from work—laces his fingers and bends down, forming a "swing" for his little girl who, laughing, climbs aboard for the ride. (Photo: My father holding me as a baby, in our New Jersey back yard.)

My father's trademark slacks with dress shirt, familiar grey briefcase and "smell-of-the-office" are permanently etched upon my mind, eclipsed only by what has been engraved upon my heart by knowing him.

That treasure includes a love for music and the arts; the example of striving to do what is right in every circumstance, caring about others without prejudice against any race or religion, devotion to family and to honoring the commitment of marriage. And, in my father lies an example of faithful devotion to God—steady—through times of great blessing and adversity.

And perhaps it's been the latter where I see him shine the most these days...as my father carefully tends to my mother's needs while she recovers from surgery. Just yesterday he showed me the beautiful ring he had given my mother weeks before, on their 65th anniversary. When we jokingly asked mom what she had given him as a present, my father replied for her: "Herself," he said in all seriousness. "She is here with me, and I thought I was going to lose her."

A Glimpse of a Single Dad

Our second curtain opens on my oldest brother, I have two, and both have gleaned from my father (and mother) qualities which have made them easily some of the most caring men I know. However, my oldest brother has a wonderful claim-to-fame in my book; raising his little girl into a beautiful young woman, by himself.

After a divorce, he sought and gained custody of his daughter, and moved across the country to be closer to family. And, while it couldn't have been easy for him as a single dad, many of the same treasures that I garnered from my own father, I have seen passed down to his daughter as well.

Last year my brother gave her away in marriage to a warm and caring man, much like himself, and my father's living legacy continues.

A Glimpse of the Ultimate Father

The last curtain pulls open on an almost deserted beach, the first strands of the morning sun reach from the horizon, causing the overnight darkness to creep away. There is only one visible, near the stalks of tall green dune grass—a child, digging her toes deep into the soft, dry sand—but she is not alone.

She is talking to her Father, unseen, but always there—she knows He is watching, she can feel His smile.

Now older, a teen, she walks the same beach—crying out to this Father, telling Him of all her age's trials, loneliness, loves won and lost—and again she knows He is there, listening and guiding.

Still later on, with a family of her own, and in the midst of all the immense joy and occasional heartache of her own marriage and raising of children, she continues this vital conversation with her ultimate Father and Friend. He has never left her, but He has always been there, through every phase, every stage of her life. When she's needed Someone to cry to, He has offered His complete understanding. When she has laughed with her husband, He has shared their joy. When she has needed more love for a situation—His has been abundant, for His love never fails.

She's no longer near her favorite beach, but one very special day, this Father reminded her of their walks and talks in a vision. In her mind, she was carefully stepping in the footprints the Father left as He walked just in front of her. She could not see in front of them, but her heart was at peace, because her Father was leading.

So precious is this relationship between father and daughter. And in all three of these glimpses, it has been the leading of a father that has brought about a lasting legacy of love and security for a young woman.

Source: Breaking Christian News

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