My Daughter Needs a Good Dad

My daughter’s first day of Kindergarten was a success. She loves her teacher and her new friends. The playground has monkey bars and she ate lunch at school with the other kids. She came home exhausted but showing a smile from ear to ear.
“Daddy!” She exclaims with glee, “Tomorrow I get to go to the gym.”  I smile and share her enthusiasm.

On the second day, she gets up extra early, much earlier than I planned to get out of bed.  We go through the morning routine earlier than usual. Once breakfast is done, she rushes to put her gym clothes on. It is not time to go to school yet, so she decides to draw me a picture.

“This is so you don’t forget about me.” She says with a smile and outstretched arm. She hands me a little piece of paper with some hearts, her name printed ever so carefully with a little picture of herself.

“I will never forget you, sweetie,”  I say.

She skips off and I stand a bit stunned just taking in the significance of what just happened.  There is so much meaning in her words.  I hear a plea from a little girl ready to brave a big new world, away from her family and her daddy.  Make sure there is room for me in your heart when I get home. She loves school, but there is an awareness of the separation taking place. Hold me in mind even when I cannot see you.

She is also aware that as long as I remember her she doesn’t have to remember me.  She is free to go and be confident because she knows that her daddy has her back.  She knows that I am confident in her. She feels secure. She can go to school, have fun, and forget about me.  Don’t ever leave me, daddy, even when I have to leave you.  Tears spring to my eyes as I hold that thought in my heart.

Through my daughter’s gift, I get a glimpse into her heart, and she reminds me of my need for my Father and His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Sometimes I forget His promise, but today, as my daughter delivers her picture, I remember my need for my Dad, and I know He will always be there, even when I cannot see him.

Christian Counseling can help you to be a good dad

If you are reading this and are wrestling with the question of whether or not you are a good dad, it is never too late to change. Now is the time to contact a Christian counselor and become the father that your child needs you to be.

Images cc: Microsoft free images