Mallory is entering 6th grade this year---Middle School, Youth Group, brushing her hair all the time, hormones, spending time behind a closed door more often, embarrassed of walking with her mom in public---6th grade. I say all this with tongue in cheek, because, actually, she is such an awesome young woman! I am sooo proud of her, and I hope to keep her covered in prayer and help guide her to stay strong in the Lord and know who she is in Him.
Today, I was driving Mallory to her Middle School orientation. We had a few rare moments of alone time in the car. We discussed the Youth Group cookout that she had attended the previous night. Mallory told me about the devotional that they did. Their Bible passage was about the Prodigal Son, and they took time to reflect on their earthly fathers and then on Father God. One question that they were asked is 'how have you been let down or disappointed by your dad?' I could have burst into thankful tears when Mal told me that she could think of nothing to put in those blanks because she has never felt let down by her daddy. Is that incredible? It sure is to me! I am blown away with gratefulness! Thank You Lord!!!!
How many people would say they have never been disappointed in their earthly father? We spend enormous amounts of time listing all the ways that our fathers (mothers, teachers, leaders, etc.) fail us. We are adults! Here in my car, living under my roof, in the middle of Tween Hwy. en route to Teenage City, is this precious child telling me she has never been disappointed in her daddy! People, I experienced a miracle today! Now, I am sure that there will be future moments when Mallory does feel disappointed by Daddy (me, society, teachers, etc.), but I am choosing to treasure this miracle in my heart.
I am so very thankful that Mallory isn't bogged down in blame like the majority of our society! I am so very thankful that I am married to a man who is such a good daddy! I am so very thankful for my Heavenly Father who is faithful and whose path for us is beyond all the goodness we could ever plan for our own lives.
Oh, and I am also thankful for the delicious bite of a cookie that my sweet Mallory just cooked and brought to me! Yum! Hey, maybe the teenage years won't be so bad!
