DAUGHTER

Today is Father's Day, and it has been 5 years since my father has passed away. It seems like it was just yesterday, but at the same time I cannot believe this much time has already gone by. There are countless things that I miss about my dad, but one of the things that I miss the most is him calling me "Daughter".

I am reminded in God's Word that there was a woman with an issue of blood. She had been dealing with this issue for 12 years. All of her time and money and resources had been consumed with finding a cure for her agonizing illness. Nothing seemed to help at all. Matter-of-fact, things actually got worse for her.

We really don't know much about this woman. We don't even know her name. All we know is what we know. As Jesus was on the way to perform a miracle of healing for someone's daughter, this woman pushes through a crowd of people and reaches out to touch the every edge (or hem) of Jesus's garment. This was not just any touch. This was a healing touch. (Read more about this woman's experience in Luke 8:40-48.)

The fact that this woman was now completely healed was nothing short of a true miracle, but this was not the golden part of her story. Luke 8:48 says this: "And He [Jesus] said unto her, 'Daughter, be of good comfort...'". Did you catch that? Jesus called this woman Daughter! We still don't know her birth name, but I am sure that being called Daughter by Jesus was a huge confidence booster for her. I am sure that it gave her a sense of much needed identity. Being called Daughter implies protection, provision, and agape love. A woman in her dilapidated state no doubt needed to feel all of those things.

I may not be able to hear my father call me 'Daughter' anymore, but I am very sure of this one thing. I am the daughter of the Heavenly Father, and this is quite an honor. And I relish in the fact that I am a Daddy's girl ;-) And 'Your Joy' by Chrisette Michele is one of my all time favorite songs to listen to on this special day. I hope that this song brings great memories.