I know this is a few days after your birthday but I have not forgotten. They say the relationship between a father and a daughter is unique, special, much like the relationship between a mother and her son. Fathers are the first men to love their daughters, the first men to pursue a relationship with their daughters, the first men to show their daughters they are beautiful. And daughters look to their fathers for love, support, provision, and protection. Fathers are truly the earthly example of our Heavenly Father. So on this day, I celebrate you Daddy.
At first glance, there is no question I am your daughter, from the thick full auburn hair on my head to the thin shape of feet I am my father's daughter. The years I wondered if I was adopted because I looked nothing like my sister and mother I always knew I was at least truly your child. As I grew into adulthood, the similarity in looks took a backseat to personality and character. Like you, I am introverted, reserved, yet personable and once you get to know me, somewhat extroverted. I process and reflect before speaking, I desire justice, I desire truth. I serve humbly behind the scenes. I work hard and do not give up on my desires and dreams. I am strong willed, stubborn, opinionated. But I desire to know the Lord and His Word more than anything else. I am my father's child.
Growing up, I knew no greater man than you through you. You challenged me to pursue my dreams, you knew the hurt and pain that I went through with basketball at Gaston Christian yet you would not let me quit. You challenged me each day to keep playing, keep practicing, and to use my pain and hurt to one day treat other people fairly. And I did, I kept playing, I kept practicing, and the Lord gave me my desires by allowing me to play at Erskine. I saw the pride you had in me when I wore that jersey, I may not have gotten much time on the court, but that did not matter to you. You knew the pain the tears the hurt behind the jersey and you were proud. And I did, the pain the hurt I experienced has propelled me into loving each athlete that walks through my door. No favorites, no treating one better than the other, but treating each of them fairly and listening to each athlete, helping each of them pursue their dreams and desires, knowing that I can make a difference by just taking an interest in their lives. You challenged me in my faith. You were the one who cried when I was leaving for China, you were the one who cried as they laid hands on me and prayed over me. You were the one who to this day I quote to parents as they watch their children leave the home or pursue missions, because you were the one who looked out over the congregation and said "we raise them to send them." You were the one who knew that when you raise a child, you are not just raising them in the admonition of the Lord but you are raising them to pursue the Gospel. You are raising them to send them into the world to share that Gospel. You were my biggest fan, my biggest supporter, my protector when I was hurting because of the unfair ways I was being treated and my provider of all my needs, from my first cars to my first phone to my first computer and everything in between. There was no greater man in my life.
And there still isn't any greater man. The Lord has blessed me with thirty-four years of singleness and I pray that as I have grown and moved through adult hood that you are proud of me. That you see the lessons I learned from you being played out in my decisions and the way I approach life. And while I am not married yet and I have not had to fully leave and cleave to a husband, I have had to grow up and mature. I have had to leave and cleave to the life the Lord has given me at this time, in this season. I have had to make decisions a part from you. I have had to move out and create my own household. Some decisions you have agreed with others you have not. But through it all I just want to make you proud.
Happy 60th Birthday! I am proud to call you my father, I am proud of the hard work and dedication you put into pursuing your dreams and desires. I pray that the Lord will bless you, that He will make His face to shine upon your dreams, your desire, your marriage, your life. I pray that you will know the Lord more in the next chapter of your life than you have in the first 60 years.
I pray above all you know how much you are loved and appreciated and pray over and prayed for.
I love you Daddy...
Jynne
At first glance, there is no question I am your daughter, from the thick full auburn hair on my head to the thin shape of feet I am my father's daughter. The years I wondered if I was adopted because I looked nothing like my sister and mother I always knew I was at least truly your child. As I grew into adulthood, the similarity in looks took a backseat to personality and character. Like you, I am introverted, reserved, yet personable and once you get to know me, somewhat extroverted. I process and reflect before speaking, I desire justice, I desire truth. I serve humbly behind the scenes. I work hard and do not give up on my desires and dreams. I am strong willed, stubborn, opinionated. But I desire to know the Lord and His Word more than anything else. I am my father's child.
Growing up, I knew no greater man than you through you. You challenged me to pursue my dreams, you knew the hurt and pain that I went through with basketball at Gaston Christian yet you would not let me quit. You challenged me each day to keep playing, keep practicing, and to use my pain and hurt to one day treat other people fairly. And I did, I kept playing, I kept practicing, and the Lord gave me my desires by allowing me to play at Erskine. I saw the pride you had in me when I wore that jersey, I may not have gotten much time on the court, but that did not matter to you. You knew the pain the tears the hurt behind the jersey and you were proud. And I did, the pain the hurt I experienced has propelled me into loving each athlete that walks through my door. No favorites, no treating one better than the other, but treating each of them fairly and listening to each athlete, helping each of them pursue their dreams and desires, knowing that I can make a difference by just taking an interest in their lives. You challenged me in my faith. You were the one who cried when I was leaving for China, you were the one who cried as they laid hands on me and prayed over me. You were the one who to this day I quote to parents as they watch their children leave the home or pursue missions, because you were the one who looked out over the congregation and said "we raise them to send them." You were the one who knew that when you raise a child, you are not just raising them in the admonition of the Lord but you are raising them to pursue the Gospel. You are raising them to send them into the world to share that Gospel. You were my biggest fan, my biggest supporter, my protector when I was hurting because of the unfair ways I was being treated and my provider of all my needs, from my first cars to my first phone to my first computer and everything in between. There was no greater man in my life.
And there still isn't any greater man. The Lord has blessed me with thirty-four years of singleness and I pray that as I have grown and moved through adult hood that you are proud of me. That you see the lessons I learned from you being played out in my decisions and the way I approach life. And while I am not married yet and I have not had to fully leave and cleave to a husband, I have had to grow up and mature. I have had to leave and cleave to the life the Lord has given me at this time, in this season. I have had to make decisions a part from you. I have had to move out and create my own household. Some decisions you have agreed with others you have not. But through it all I just want to make you proud.
Happy 60th Birthday! I am proud to call you my father, I am proud of the hard work and dedication you put into pursuing your dreams and desires. I pray that the Lord will bless you, that He will make His face to shine upon your dreams, your desire, your marriage, your life. I pray that you will know the Lord more in the next chapter of your life than you have in the first 60 years.
I pray above all you know how much you are loved and appreciated and pray over and prayed for.
I love you Daddy...
Jynne
