Thursday, May 27, 2010

Your thoughts define me


So I had this amazing experience the other day..... My wife took my little daughter Haven shopping for the first time and let her pick out her own dress. When they returned I was in my room reading in my favorite chair. I heard my little girls feet run up the stairs to her room above me. I could tell by the commotion that she was either wrestling a alligator or that she was changing into her new clothes with the fury of a four year old. Then I heard her little feet come back down the stairs and she burst into my room. Without any words she ran and stopped in front of me wearing the new dress she had picked out. This was one of those moments when time also seemed to stop in front of me. As she stood still and time stood still, I realized it was one of the greatest moments I would ever have as a Father. She was waiting to be defined by my voice. Her little heart was like clay waiting on my thoughts to shape her. So with everything inside me I looked deep inside her and said "Haven you look more beautiful right now that you have in your whole life."

Everyday for the next week Haven would put on her new dress and come find me. No matter what I was doing she would pause before me and wait for my voice to tell her again that she was beautiful. It was like her little heart was saying over and over to me "do it again daddy.... tell me who I am."

Identity is discovered through the voice we listen to. We have all been created to be defined by a Fathers voice. Every girl is made to hear those words, "You are beautiful" and every boy is designed to hear the words "well done." My words over Haven are but a shadow of the radiant thoughts that the Father in heaven has for her. Until we each have an encounter with our Father in heaven like my daughter had with me, we will spend our lives broken in search of our identity.

The Father is sitting in His favorite chair, just waiting on us to burst into his presence and say "Daddy, do it again, tell me who I am."

17 comments:

  1. :) This was like a kiss from heaven this morning. My entire life growing up I did the same thing to my Daddy every time I bought something new. And I spent $400 on a prom dress when I was 16 because my Daddy loved the way it looked on me. And in my adult life I am still so much that little girl and everyday need reassurance from my Father that I am loved. May He never stop singing over us.

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  2. Thank you Jonathan for posting this. It is the truth spoken from a heart pursuing Our Father. God bless & love to you and your beautiful family.

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  3. ...heart-stretchingly beautiful. I'm provoked; thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thank you! Beautiful word picture of the Father's heart! Your family is a gift to the body...may you continue to receive more than you can contain.....pressed down shaken up and running over!!!!

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  5. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks Jonathan! Hope all is well.

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  6. Thank you for recognizing God in the moment(s) and sharing with us. It was truly a taste of honey...

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  7. Thanks Jonathan for posting this. It is a special picture of the Father's heart and how special and beautiful He sees us.

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  8. Big huge tears, from a 40 year old woman who never heard these words from a Earthly Father. Thank you sweet family of God...You guys are beautiful

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  9. That is absolutely amazing. Love the picture it creates in my mind. :) Sort of what i'm trying to get across in my blog.

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  10. Gostei demais de ler isso. Compartilhei com muitos amigos no Brasil, que puderam sentir mais do Caráter paterno de Deus. Obrigada Senhor!

    I enjoyed reading it too. I shared with many friends in Brazil, which might feel more paternal character of God. Thank you Lord!

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  11. Deus seja louvado pela beleza deste momento e palavras. Que nós possamos colocar nossas vestes e irmos diante do trono nos apresentar ao Rei dos reis.

    Deus te abençoe, Jonathan

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  12. Oh, Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! I just wanted to say Thank you!!
    Thank you Father for this man's insight to your heart and sharing it with all of us!

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  13. thanks so much for sharing this. I have a 4 yr old and 2yr old daughter so this story was just electric to me. "She was waiting to be defined by my voice. Her little heart was like clay waiting on my thoughts to shape her." Love it...

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  14. Yes this was very inspiring. I have two little girls and two boys of my own and this was a great reminder for me of how important those two phrases are for them to here.

    You are beautiful
    and
    Well done, I'm proud of you.

    FYI: I referenced this post on my own blog http://www.journeyofadad.blogspot.com

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  15. Please, please... let me share this text!!!
    I'll try to translate this for portuguese and put it on my own blog...

    I could feel the Fater's love...
    God bless you so much more!!

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  16. I set here in my adult human body as the childs heart within me soaks up this most precious blog. How many of us never heard those words. How beautiful I love what you spoke into your little girl. Thank you so much for sharing.

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