Daddy's Little Girl

I have written in the past about my Mama and all that she has taught me, but I learned quite a bit from my Daddy too.

First let me say that my Daddy is most definitely not the man that he is because he was taught by example. His father was, in my eyes, a pathetic excuse for a man. He was abusive in every way shape and form, as well as a non provider...as in no food, clothing, etc..for his children.

I shared that with you so that you have a clearer understanding of why I think my Daddy is so amazing.. He is the man that he is because of his personal character, not because he was shown by example.

My Daddy never spanked me or any of my siblings, and yet we knew when he said that was "enough", it was enough. It was that simple.

He took us to church as a family, and on Mother's Day every year he got a corsage for my Mama, Granny and for his little girls. When he'd give me that rose every year I was so happy. I just love that my Daddy was the first man to give me flowers.

Our cabinets were always overflowing with food, as were the freezer and the refrigerator. This was back before any of the large wholesale chains existed, but as I grew older I understood the reasoning behind the huge stockpile of food. His children were never going to be hungry like he had been in the past.

I have been with my Daddy when he left boxes of food on the porch of someone that he knew needed it. He would always say that we should never mention it because it might embarrass the person, or make them feel bad. He taught me kindness towards others,and to be generous when others had less than you did, and to do so humbly.

He taught me that sometimes silence is better than the fight. My Daddy is not a fan of violence but somehow he conveyed through his silence that should it ever come to a physical altercation, he would without a doubt be the winner.

He taught me that vengeance belongs to the Lord. He taught me to stay out of trouble, and to be the best person I could be. Many times I have seen my Daddy take the high road.

When I was about 8 years old I hit a softball and broke a window at one of the neighbors houses and the man came out and screamed at me until I cried. I went home and my Daddy asked me what was wrong and I told him about it. He hugged me tight and told me the next time any adult started yelling at me, for any reason, run to him and he would handle it. The next thing he did was go over to the neighbors house and let that man have it in a big way for screaming at me. He told him that if he decided to scream at someone in the future, it had better not be his daughter. He then repaired the window. He made me feel safe.

He took us fishing when we were little. He bought us all new fishing poles and when we got to the lake I was the first one that he set up. He baited my hook, cast my line out, and showed me how to reel it in. He got my brother and sister set up and as he was working on setting his line, I caught a brim.

I reeled it in just as he had shown me, yelling for my Daddy the entire time. I could see my Daddy running towards me but there was one problem. I hadn't reeled the line in short enough to control it and the brim was flipping around. That was freaking me out, and just as my Daddy was about to reach me the fish flipped and slapped against my leg...well that was it... I threw rod, reel, brim and all in the lake. My Daddy just stood there beside me as it sank to the bottom.

He was silent for a moment, and then he knelt down beside me and he said "Sugar, just watch your brother and sister.". He taught me patience.

He worked very hard to take care of Myself and my four siblings. My Daddy provided for us by installing flooring. I have seen him come in from work and lay his money out bill by bill across his dresser to let them dry while he showered, because they were wet from the sweat of his labor. I never knew what it meant to need anything and not have it.

My Daddy has always been there for me. I have had many times in my adult life in which I have been overwhelmed and when this happens I go to my Daddy's house and I sit on his front porch and rock with him or sit in his garage while he piddles around working on something and we talk. I call this "turning myself in". In those moments all of my cares seem to go away, and I am just for a short while taken back to the feeling of being his Little girl and he is in charge. It is an amazing feeling.

My life was quite disastrous about a year ago, and I felt sure everyone was talking about me. I went right to my Daddy's. He knew what was wrong before I ever got there, and that was good because when I pulled up to his house and saw him sitting outside all I could do was let the tears flow.

He just looked at me and pointed to the chair next to his, and he said "Sit down sugar". I sat down and then, at 70 years old, he wrapped his hand around the arm of my chair and pulled me closer to him. He looked right into my eyes and he said two things. First he said "Do you have it right with God?", I said yes sir, and then he said "screw everyone else.".

He followed those things up with "I have an extra bedroom in there (as he nodded toward his house), and you always have a home here with me. Needless to say I cried harder. He put his arms around me and let me cry. When I was done, and had dried it up, I thanked him for being the most amazing father and then I got in my car and I thanked God for letting him be my Daddy.


Thank you Daddy for being such an amazing man, for always making me feel safe, for having such great character and class, and for setting things right with your mere presence. You are forever my hero and I love you beyond words...Always

Artist...God

A mother as she holds her sleeping child....

The bluest skies, sometimes pure and sometimes scattered with the whitest clouds.

A single rose found where you least expect it.

A tree covered by Wisteria to the extent that it simply drips lavender.

Trees draped in Spanish moss which as they are  touched by a Summer's breeze sway every so slightly.

Dogwoods in pinks and pure white...  Azaleas in full bloom displaying the brightest magenta...

Magnolia trees heavy with their large white blooms resting under a beautiful moonlit sky.

The most gorgeous sunrise or sunset that presents itself as the back drop for waves that are gently rolling into white foam caps as they travel inland from where the sea appears to meet the sky.

Honeysuckle vines in full bloom that permeate such a sweet sweet smell.

The colors of the leaves on the trees in the North Georgia Mountains in the Fall.

A landscape blanketed in snow and completely undisturbed...pure beauty.

These are just a few examples of what I call God's Artwork.

 There are and have been artists in this world who had and have great talent and whose works have been

labeled masterpieces.

I will say that the great works of those artists are both amazing and beautiful, and are without a doubt to be appreciated.

I however, see God's works as awe inspiring, gorgeous, breath taking  works that cannot be duplicated

by even the greatest of artists.  They are created in real places and are there for us in real time...

They are to be cherished and appreciated by us in the moment in which God presents them to us.

Each and every day we encounter God's amazing works and for me these are beyond all doubt the true

and indisputable masterpieces....

Do yourself a great service....

Stop and enjoy these masterpieces as God puts them before you...soak them in.....

Be Still and know that I am God...Psalm 46:10