A Letter Every Man With a Daughter Should Read

Something is shocking about holding a newborn infant in your arms. Life changes in a blink.

I’ve been a dad for almost 40 years, and I’ve learned a lot. I still don’t have it all figured out. Sorry, new dads, it’s a journey. But my perspective is different — and not from some kind of intellectual ascent. I can’t take any credit for something the Lord worked in my stubborn heart.

I know I’m not reinventing the Christian wheel here, but we’ve been told to share a wonderful story with the best-ever happy ending.

Dear Daughters,

Hey, it’s me. The goofy guy who chased you around the backyard. The man with his left hand clasped onto his right forearm and his right hand in the shape of “The Claw.” I may not have been good at diaper duty, but I sometimes excelled at fun.

Here’s the secret about “Fun Dad.” You probably already know. I didn’t need to pretend because I enjoyed the amusement park rides, cartoons, kids’ movies, swing sets, and all of those other youthful things every bit as much as you did. Yes, I had the day job of “adult in the room.” But as you could tell, I often moonlighted as a kid.

I had zero preparation for being a daughter’s dad. I grew up without a sister and understood very little about females. So, in the perfect harmony of God’s ways being higher than mine, He blessed me with three of them.

I was 21 years old when I held you, daughter No. 1, for the first time. The experience seemed surreal. I had no clue about the road ahead. It was only through the Lord’s mercy that things didn’t fall apart.

The biggest mountain I faced came from not knowing anything about babies. My experience level put me in a bad spot. I reacted poorly in handling discipline. Many of my mistakes as a father came from immaturity, a strong temper, and general ignorance.

There were good times growing up. Vacations, ballgames, and movie theater popcorn. Yes, absolutely.

But there is one area as a father that I didn’t get right. It has to do with the Bible. Yes, I took you to church. I tried to set a decent example by going pretty much every Sunday. Unfortunately, you saw me mess up at home. I can only remind you that I’m sorry about all of the mistakes.

I didn’t know enough about Scripture when you were young. And I didn’t live it enough. Even today, understanding it better, I still fall short.

This letter would apply to sons, too. But I didn’t raise any, so I’m sharing from the personal experience I had. Hopefully, I can be a much better PopPop to my grandson than I was as a dad. I don’t know how I’m doing there, but I love that little booger as much as I love each of you girls.

On a sad note, I also have a step-daughter whom I have never met because of the broken relationship between her and her mother. But I believe in Romans 8:28, and somehow that promise fits into the grand scheme of things. And the reason for writing this letter applies to her as well.

It landed on my heart as Resurrection Sunday neared.

I’ve known for many years that there is nothing on this Earth more important than a relationship with Jesus. A real one.

But I don’t think I’ve stated it clearly enough. So here goes …

Every Christian dad with a daughter will understand this. Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but God created man first. And having daughters feels like a charge from the Lord. Get this right. Point them to My Son.

God promised no more tears and no more pain in heaven. He is eternally faithful, and I believe that promise with all of my heart. And because He gave me this love for each of you, I believe you all will be hanging out with Dad here and there in eternity. Give me a Saturday every once in a while. Lol.

You won’t be there because of me. You will be there because of grace. We are saved by grace. Through faith. Not the other way around.

And on this Good Friday, when we face the enormous sorrow of what sinners did to the only true innocent man to ever walk this Earth, the Lord led me to remind you girls that His love is far greater than any I’ve given you. Through this incredible love, He rose again. And we will celebrate that on Sunday.

And I can only imagine what it will be like to better understand that love in heaven.

Love, Dad