A soft, yellow glow illuminated the stove in the kitchen at midnight, the only light in the house.  Tiny footsteps pattered down the hall and a pair of blue eyes peeked around the doorway.  Across the suburbs, other three-year-olds slept in their beds, but not I.  During maple syrup season, my father stayed up late stirring the clear liquid in the pan on the stove, and I wanted to be with him.  Boiling down the sap to make syrup is an arduous task, and Dad hated the long nights.  But I loved the dark stillness of the house, knowing that it was just the two of us awake, Daddy and me.

It’s never been unusual to find the two of us still awake at midnight or later.   We’re the family night-owls, whether eating snacks of summer sausage and cheese and reading a book which we did often during my teens, or watching old TV shows on DVD in my twenties.  We don’t even have to speak during our father-daughter bonding times; I just make sure to give him a hug and an “I love you,” before I lope off to bed — a hug and an “I love you” that he always returns.

I’ve noticed that the older I get, I exhibit more of Dad’s traits in my life.   I don’t even try to imagine what life would be like if I didn’t know my father.   I’m sure I would question my strong devotion to organization and detail.  I would wonder why I laugh at silly puns.   I would certainly need to inquire from whom I inherited my musical talent.  Yes, I would probably even believe my siblings when they tease me about being adopted, because I really look nothing like my mother.

I would not be who I am today without Dad’s influence on my life.  Though I dislike earning my mother’s disapproval, I’m devastated if my dad is disappointed in me.  I believe it’s natural for children to want their father’s approval, because a father is the most important influence a child will have on their life.

Besides an earthly father, I’m also blessed with a heavenly Father.  One who wants to spend quiet moments with me, morning, noon, and yes, even at midnight.  As a Christian, I am to grow in the knowledge of God the Father.  Not just know about Him, but know His very being.   Learning His nature reveals much about my own life (and how much I fall short of His goodness).  My heavenly Father is a God of order, One of laughter and music.  The One who created me in His image.

Just as I desire to make my dad proud of me, I want to bring my heavenly Father honor and glory, for His name’s sake.

As I begin to see more of my earthly father in me, I want everyone to see more of the heavenly Father in my life.   What’s more important than being a Daddy’s girl?  Being God the Father’s daughter.   Praise the Lord that I am.

Thanks, Dad, for introducing me to the Father.   Happy Birthday!