God is a Girl Dad

Some people say you should only write about what you know.

As someone who grew up most of her life without a dad — orphaned at age five and raised in an orphanage — by that logic, I don’t exactly qualify to write about fathers.

But something you should know about me: I don’t always do as I’m told ;)

So, I’m going to talk about fathers — not because I necessarily qualify, but because I’ve been qualified by the Best Dad that has ever existed.

This Dad… His name is Jehovah.

The Perfect Father

I know, I know — He’s Spirit, perfect, and unlike our earthly fathers. And yes, I haven’t physically seen Him face to face. But He’s more real to me than the rising and setting of the sun.

Also… since when does perfect not count?!

I’m a donut fan, so naturally, I think in donut terms. Stick with me here…

You wouldn’t dismiss a perfectly glazed donut just because it was too perfect, would you? Certainly not! You’d set that perfectly glazed donut as the standard for all the others.

Our Heavenly Father has been reminding me a lot about Himself lately — especially as it pertains to being a father. And I want to remind you too… in case you’re forgetful like me.

“Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her...I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.”— Hosea 2:14, 19–20 (NIV)

Sister, go ahead and replace “her” and “you” with your name:

“Therefore, I am now going to allure Gemma… I will speak tenderly to Gemma… I will betroth Gemma to me forever…”

Such beautiful words! I want them read aloud at my wedding someday.

A Father’s Love

Recently, I watched a tender and emotional video that captured exactly what I’ve been experiencing with God.

In the video, a father was giving away his daughter at her wedding. As he placed her hand into the groom’s, he paused, looked into the groom’s eyes, and said:

“I love my daughter, and I know that you do too. But if, for whatever reason, you ever stop loving her, please bring her back to me.”

In short, he was saying: She may cease to be your wife, but she’ll never cease to be my daughter.

A father’s love for his daughter is tender. You see it in everyday family moments —the dad wrestling his son, then twirling his daughter; ruffling his son’s hair, then straightening the slightly twisted bow on the back of his daughter’s princess dress.

That’s not to say fathers love their sons any less — of course they don't! But God, in His infinite wisdom, made us girls with a special craving for closeness and gentleness...

We love our father’s admiration.

We want to be allured.

We feel prettier when Dad says, “You look beautiful.”

That, my dear, is what your Heavenly Father has always wanted to do with you — and what He is doing with you.

The Shielding Father

Another “Dad feature” I’ve been pondering comes from Psalm 91:4:

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

I love my mom 100 + 1%, but when I’m deeply sad or in trouble, I prefer to talk with my dad.

It’s not just because we share similar temperaments — no. I prefer him in those sticky moments because he’ll tell me the hard truth and comfort me. My mom leans more toward comfort; my dad, toward truth and logic — as men often do.

Even children sense this difference, which is why moms have long used the classic line,“Just wait until your father comes home.”

Our Heavenly Father is like that — strong and steady. He is our shield.

Behind the shield are all your vital organs — the ones that keep you alive. Outside of it are flying arrows. The shield exists to protect you — both from your own mishaps in battle and from the enemy’s attacks.

Your Father knows your weaknesses. His love and faithfulness are your shield — your hiding place, your first line of defense. His love covers the entire multitude of your sin.

The Delighted Father

In Isaiah 62: 3–4, our Heavenly Father says:

“You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.No longer will they call you Deserted…But you will be called Hephzibah (‘My delight is in her’).”

Whooooo!!!!!

“Hi everyone, we’re happy to be here. My name is William,

this is my wife, Catherine,

and our daughter, Gemma.”

Dad and I at a cafe in Zambia

Dad snuggling Vada

That’s how my dad introduced us to the children at Agape Foundation on our first evening there.

It might sound like a simple introduction, but to a child who had been orphaned, those words were everything.

A father who was there.

A father who did the introducing.

A father who was proud of his family — proud of his daughter.

That’s the heart of God.

He is here. He wants to introduce you. He wants to shout, “That’s my daughter!” — not only when you’re winning, but even when you’re huddled in the corner, sobbing after a major failure.

He is proud of you — and there’s nothing you can do to make His love stop.

The Protective Father

Let’s look at how far our Girl Dad goes to protect us. He even warns our husbands (and future husbands!) against mistreating us — His beloved daughters:

“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”— 1 Peter 3:7

My good friend Agatha loves to tease her husband with this verse whenever she wants a new wig (to add to her already-large collection, ha!).

Our Abba is saying that your husband’s relationship with Him is directly influenced by how he treats you — His daughter.

In the Nigerian way, let me reiterate this:

Your Papa no dey carry you play o!

You are the apple of His eye. You are Hephzibah.

And to my earthly fatherless friend, you are not forgotten. You are Jehovah’s most

treasured possession. He loves you more than you’ll ever know. His love waits for you!

And To My Own Girl Dad:

Dear Mr. William Rackley — an authentic girl dad —you’re doing a wonderful job emulating the Perfect Girl Dad.

I love you.