Little Boys and Girls

When a little boy doesn't have a father to show him the way, he can never be quite sure about the manhood things he needs to know. He's never quite sure about how strong is strong enough; how soft is too soft; or how much doing or giving is enough from a man's point of view. He's never quite sure how to push forward or when to pull back. When a little boy doesn't have a father to guide him, he's not sure when to speak up or when to shut up. A little boy who does not or did not have a father is never quite sure what other men will think about what he has to say.

Some little boys grow up never feeling quite sure about the things their fathers did not or could not teach them. Sometimes they figure things out on their own, by trial and error. Still, they are not quite sure about themselves, within themselves. They grieve silently in their hearts, which does not make them feel good about the man they are or are becoming. Many little boys grow up to be men who do not realize that they have a heavenly Father who loves and supports them unconditionally. This is the Father who knows them inside out and will always be in them and with them. Many little boys do not recognize that the wise, courageous, loving fatherly advise they need, they already have at the core of their being. They don't understand that the Father put it there for them to use when they thought they could not reach him, see him, or be with him. Like a good Father, the heavenly Father has given little boys everything they need to grown into men.

Until today, you may have been one of the earthly sons grieving the absence of an earthly father. You may have quietly, secretly yearned for the loving embrace of a father. Just for today, spend some time sharing your thoughts and needs with the heavenly Father who lives in your heart.

Little girls need a big, strong daddy to hold them, protect them and to let them know that they matter to him. They need a daddy who will talk to them, listen to them, who will speak up for them and teach them how to speak up for themselves. Little girls need a daddy that they can depend on and put their trust in. They need a daddy who will discipline them, instruct them and trust them to make decisions on their own. They need a daddy to tell them they are pretty, to demonstrate that they are valuable, to teach them that they are worthy and to acknowledge that they deserve respect. Little girls need a daddy to teach them what to expect from men.

Unfortunately, some daddies do not know how to give little girls what they need. They may want to, even try to, but somehow they never seem to get just what it is that little girls need from them. As a result, some little girls grow up searching for the daddy they believe they never had. Some little girls grow up full of regret, sadness, fear and sometimes anger, believing they will never get the things they need and wanted from daddy.

All little girls have a heavenly Father who understands them, loves them, values them and knows their every need. The heavenly Father has always protected, spoken to, listened to and spoken on behalf of his earthly daughters. The heavenly Father has always and will always be there to comfort, protect and provide for his little girls because he knows, sometimes better than they do, just how precious they are to Him and the world.

Until today, you may have believed that you missed out on a good relationship with your earthly father. Just for today, be devoted to spending some time and sharing your thoughts with your heavenly Father. If you do, you'll feel a lot better about the father you had here on earth.