Yesterday was National Daughter’s Day – a time to honor our girls.

It made me think about when I first held each of my daughters in my arms. I was literally tickled pink. They have been such a gift of love and joy to our family.

We have watched our older daughter embrace life’s challenges with empathy and understanding. She finds new and unique ways to use her gifts regularly – it is motivating!

We have watched our younger daughter grab life by the horns and not allow any obstacle to limit her. She is kind and makes everyone feel like her friend – it is endearing!

Without a doubt, it is an incredible journey of parenting our beautiful daughters. Here are a few things, which we have learned, I pray you would find helpful with your daughter:

CELEBRATE

We live in a society that thrives on comparing ourselves to each other and therefore, we never feel pretty enough, thin enough, or smart enough. Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” What makes your daughter special? Are you in awe of her gorgeous smile? Did she help a sibling? Did she showcase a talent? Tell her! Letting your girl know that you see her and appreciate her uniqueness affirms the Father’s handiwork in her.

TEACH

It’s easy to see our daughter as a mini-friend. We just want to have girl talks and do girly things together. While raising a daughter involves those things, it also requires that we “Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],” as stated in Proverbs 22:6 AMP. That means we have to teach them right from wrong, say no at times and have teachable moments. It’s not easy, but being intentional with such will help set them up for success as an adult … by which time we can be full-time friends! How amazing is that!!

MODEL

Titus 3:4-5 reminds older women of how to encourage younger women. We need to show our daughters how to be women who bring glory to the Lord. How do we conduct ourselves? Are we being rude and dishonoring? Are doom and gloom a part of our mantra? Our daughter is watching so we need to walk in the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Listen, I know we’re all human and we have our rough moments. It will be beneficial for our daughters to see us acknowledge our moment of weakness and apologize for it. The goal is to model a life submitted to Christ.

My prayer is that “our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace” (Psalm 144:12 KJV)

~Joyce

by joyce

Share