And just like that…. (a letter from Dad)

And just like that, she is 18.

The words on the page penetrated my soul. My wife posted a picture of our oldest daughter on Facebook with the above words. I stared at the picture, and she stared back at me. Beautiful, wise, a young woman ready to tackle life.

I have been told by a few fathers that when you take your daughter to her new dorm room, it will hit you. The emotions will fall out. I would listen to them talk about the experience, set it aside, and think to myself that I wouldn’t be emotional.

Well, I didn’t make it to the dorm room. The dorm room experience is a couple of months away. My emotions arrived early. So, in tears (literally), I decided to write her a letter……

My nickname for you will always be “R Bear.” You are that to me. This little girl that loved Clifford the Big Red Dog and Elmo and tea parties with Dad on our porch. The little girl that loved to fill up the little pool in the back-yard and play with the water hose. The little girl that had a trunk of princess outfits that we would break out every night when I got home from work. The one that loved to have dance parties with a strobe light a few times a week. The one that loved karaoke. The little girl that planned “shows” in the playroom for hours and hours, making sure the room, the outfits, the performers were perfect, before inviting mom and dad in to witness the event. We would take our tickets, be shown to our seats, and watch our little girl perform, take a bow to a standing ovation, and do it all over the next night. All of these things are sweet memories, because, just like that, you are 18.

So now, I am truly am in the audience, watching the performance of your life. And, there is no one cheering louder than your mom and me. You know those standing ovations you used to get as a little girl, well, now those ovations are constant, perpetual. As you run the race, I hope you can hear us cheering you on, standing in the background.

You’ll have some awesome wins. You’ll have some bumps along the road, as well. But, we are here. We are praying. We are standing and cheering you on. Just like in that play room when we would stand up and cheer after your meticulously planned performances, we now stand and cheer as you run the race of life.

My attention now turns to deep, heartfelt prayers for you. I mean, I have prayed for you a lot. But, now, those prayers seem a little deeper. The Bible tells us that there is no greater love than for someone to lay down their life for another. Well, I always said that I would die for you. Outside of God, there is no greater love than what a mom and dad have for their daughter.

In my book, written for you and your siblings, I gave you 9 lessons for life. I repeat them below with a special message just for you.

Lesson 1: Read and know the Bible.

My wife and I talked last night about our role as parents. The world causes parents to focus on so many things, activities that must be done to be defined as a great parent. Well, last night, we boiled our role down to one thing, making sure you know the Bible. And, you do. The lens through which you view the world is Scripture, and, I thank God for this. This lens will never lead you astray. The world, our culture, will constantly push against the words in the Bible, challenge those words. But, the words of God stand the test of time. The words of God are true. A life lived with this lens is a life of joy.

Lesson 2: Love the Jesus of the Bible.

The Bible is a book about your Savior. Many in the Bible knew the Scriptures without knowing the Savior. Develop a personal passion for Jesus that will fuel your life, your love for others. All other fires will be extinguished. This fire will remain forever.

Lesson 3: Understand the personal threads woven into your fabric.

You have been uniquely made, crafted to be used for Him in this world. You have been woven with God’s threads. Embrace these threads. This is how God made you, the life he gave you. These threads are a gift. There is only one R, and He will do mighty things for you. This is a promise.

Lesson 4: Cherish relationships, family and friends.

God gave us relationships as a gift. Recognize this. Don’t take relationships for granted. When the going gets tough, you need people in your life who love you. And, always know, those loud voices you hear are your mom and me giving you a standing ovation at the performance of your life.

Lesson 5: Don’t make mountains out of molehills.

Don’t let the small issues of life become big issues. Let the molehills remain molehills. There are going to be some major issues in your journey. Times will come that rock your world. Storms will come that challenge your faith. Take the small issues in stride so that you have energy for the big ones.

Lesson 6: Control money; don’t let it control you.

Jesus warned of money. He knew the danger that loomed with materiality. Recognize money as a gift and manage it wisely. Always be a giver, not one who goes after things.

Lesson 7: Don’t judge others.

In our culture today, the focus of many a conversation is other people. We eat people for lunch. God, however, is the only judge. Learn from my life that everyone messes up. We are not the ones to point fingers, call people out. We are ones who love, no matter what.

Lesson 8: Fear is a trigger for action, a sign to move forward, to follow God and push through.

Never let fear stop you from doing. In fact, if you fear something, go after it hard. When you do, doors will open and you will see the world differently. God will lead you to places you never imagined. When you feel fear, recognize it and follow it. Go R!

Lesson 9: Don’t follow culture; follow God.

God has a unique plan for your life. Culture will tell you otherwise, but don’t copy it. Lean on Romans 12:2 to discover his will for your life. Then, recklessly go after it. You go after it, and let him provide the safety. Culture calls. So does Jesus. Follow him.

R, I take great comfort in Matthew 28:20 that tells a dad that He is always with his daughter. I won’t be, but God will. This give me great comfort and peace.

You are a special girl. Thank God for daughters. Thank God for my precious R. I love you all day all day.

GO R!