Sweet sister, you are God’s precious daughter. You belong to God’s family.

When I was a little girl, my dad lived in shadows. Quiet, even sullen, a rare smile. And yet, he taught me how to play chess and instilled in me a love of football.

Only years later did my dad get the medical help he needed. I was glad for him. Sad for us. Growing up, I had wanted a Brady Bunch kind of Dad. Daddy-daughter dates, shared jokes, tickles, and “I love you.” I missed out.

But did I? Really?

Yes, I lacked a warm relationship with my flesh-and-bones dad and felt confused over the term “Father” for God. (Since my dad was distant, I figured the Father was too.) But God answered my questions and quelled my confusion.

One of his answers: “You are my precious daughter.” Daughter.

God Calls Me ‘Daughter’

“Daughter” means family. It means I belong somewhere and to Someone. This thought warms me like a bowl of chili on a rainy day. I feel special, that I matter. What about you?

Have you embraced your true identity as a precious daughter of our heavenly Father? If not why not? Did you grow up without a dad at home? Was your father abusive? Or an alcoholic? Did he hurt you as no dad should?

If your dad wasn’t there when you needed him, if he wounded you, my heart cries for you and with you.

The good news for all daughters: Your Father in heaven adores you. You‟re Daddy‟s girl. The apple of his eye.

In Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote, “He predestined us to be adopted as his [daughters] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (1:5,6; modification mine).

He Loves to Love His Daughter

Being adopted was a big deal in ancient Roman law. (Rome ruled this region of the world when Paul wrote Ephesians.) The adoptee was placed in a new relationship with a new father. All debts were cancelled too.

As adopted daughters, we Christian women are freed from the debt of sin and receive the rights of the God’s own children.

Wow. This my response. What’s yours?

I marvel that the God of all creation would even know my name, let alone embrace me as his precious daughter, safe and secure and loved.

Yet the Bible tells us God is love. Perfect love. In the “love chapter” often read at weddings, we discover the true nature of love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” 1 Corinthians 13:4,5,7, NIV.

What’s more, God not only loves us but also created each of us with care.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother‟s womb. I praise you for you are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well” Psalm 139:14,15, NIV.

Whatever your shape, color, or socioeconomic status — you are perfect to your Father. Click & Tweet! Of course you make mistakes like everyone else. But you are not a mistake. God doesn’t make mistakes and he made you, sweet sister.

Every Daughter Is Welcomed

When my husband and I welcomed home our eldest child, my life turned upside down. I now had a tiny baby completely dependent on me. She slept through the first three weeks of life, or so it seemed, and woke up a holy terror. Yes, colic rocked her world and mine. I felt like such a failure. Why couldn’t I soothe her? Why won‟t she stop screaming?

Our heavenly Father never sees you as a failure. Ever.

He is your comfort. When fear mounts, he invites you to crawl onto his lap and get a daddy hug. His arms aren’t too big to hold you. He won’t abandon you.

You are God’s daughter, forever more.

COUNSELING: God has called me to counsel hope to the heart of  hurting women, in person and by Skype. An experienced, certified biblical counselor, I’m on staff at Biblical Counseling Center in greater Chicago. Contact me to set up an introductory phone call. This 20-minute call is my gift to you.

Counseling hope to your heart,