The Doting Father

A little girl, probably four years old, dressed in a red ruffly dress, and her daddy sporting a suit and a red bow tie caught the attention of all the customers on this Valentine’s night.  The setting was a very classy restaurant inside a lovely hotel, where the waiter formally placed a cloth napkin in her lap after seating her, and the menu contained items that would never been seen at a fast food restaurant. It seemed that this daddy-daughter duo were having more fun than any of the couples seated around them, as they chatted, laughed, and enjoyed their meal.  My husband and I were one of those couples, and while we were thoroughly enjoying our time together, it was delightful to watch this father being so intentional on this “Big Day”.  He was using Valentine’s Day to dote on his little girl and let her know how much she was loved.

At one point in their meal, they got up from the table and headed to a spot in front of the mini orchestra.  The father picked up his daughter in his arms and proceeded to dance with her as she giggled with delight, her arms tight around the neck of a man she obviously adored.  They were out there as long as a four year-old’s attention would allow, then they headed back to their table where they finished their meal with dessert.  All of us around them were smiling at the delight of this precious scene.

The next morning, I was seated in the lobby of the hotel where we had enjoyed our Valentine’s dinner the night before.  As I was waiting for my husband, I looked up and saw a familiar pair of faces coming into the lobby – it was the daddy and daughter who had dined near us the night before.  Today was just a normal day – no celebration was happening, and now they were in casual wear, but the thing that remained the same was his attention on her.  She was walking around the perimeter of the rug in the lobby and he was laughing at her and asking,

“Are you going in circles now?”

“Yes! I’m going in circles!” was her giggling reply.

He was still engaged.  Still interested.  Still listening.  Still loving.  Still doting on his little girl.

My heart went immediately to my Heavenly Father.

On the “Big Days” – when hard things are happening, I feel His love for me.  I hear Him whisper in my heart that He loves me.  I read His love letter (His Word).  I know He is near.  I am aware of His provision for me.  What a sweet comfort and joy to be in His presence in those heart-wrenching times.

Then, too, a “normal day” happens.  There are no hard circumstances or situations where I feel crushed to the bone, but as I sit down to open His love letter to me, He is there.  He comforts me with the Truth of His power, His care and His presence in this “normal” day.  I know He is listening as I pour out my heart to Him about the “circles I’m going in” today.  He puts His loving hand on my shoulder to direct my steps and get me on track.  He tells me which direction to go.  He guides my steps.

Even on this normal day I know my Father is doting on me.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Psalm 103:13

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
I John 3:1

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, (Daddy) Father.
Romans 8:15

Friend, if you know Christ as your Savior, I want to remind you that He loves you and is caring for you even when you aren’t aware of it.
He loves you even when you don’t “feel it.”
Nothing you do could make Him love you more
Nothing you could do would make Him love you less.

Lean in and listen. Read His love letters.  Talk to Him and realize He’s listening intently.  You’ll be keenly aware of His presence as your doting Father Who lavishes His love towards you on both the “Big Days” and the normal ones! How precious is the love of the Father! 

How does the truth that God loves you unconditionally and eternally effect your life today?
Being a Child of God requires a birth, just as being a daughter in an early family does, but this is a spiritual birth. You can go here  to read what I mean by that!)

I’m so thankful for my Abba Father!