I just watched the faith-based documentary He Calls Me Daughter through Angel, and my heart was breaking as these women shared their real life stories about their own fathers. It’s obvious that our parents influence a lot in our lives, but it became even more apparent how a father’s presence, or lack thereof, affects their children, specifically little girls.
When there is a father wound, there is intense pain left behind by an unmet need for love, safety, and also much needed affirmations from a father. This father wound can shape how we see ourselves and also how we relate to God as our Heavenly Father.
As I watched this documentary, my heart ached for women everywhere who are suffering from not having what they should have had through their own fathers. I have always been a “Daddy’s Girl,” and my father is so very important to me. He’s always been my rock, the one I know I can count on to be there no matter what. If I ever need a word of encouragement, I turn to my father. If I’m troubled, I know I can always call my father. He may not always have the answer or be able to solve the problem, but he’s always a listening ear and shoulder to cry on if needed. He makes me feel seen, heard, understood, and valued. There’s comfort in knowing he will be there when I call on him – day or night. He’s one of my biggest fans and will cheer the loudest for me on my accomplishments. When I see him in person, he wraps his loving arms around me and tells me he loves me. There’s such comfort in his presence. Everyone should have this type of father in their life.
Fathers play such a critical role in shaping their daughters’ sense of worth and security. Fathers have the distinct power to shape, protect, and affirm their daughters. If there are any fathers reading this now and you find you’ve fallen short, this is your wake-up call and invitation to change it now! Start showing up for your daughters! Love them deeply and SHOW them! Mend the relationship. While you cannot make up for lost time in the past, you can attempt to restore and right the wrongs! You are still able to right this ship, if you choose to do so. Every daughter needs her father!
To know there are girls growing up without the type of father I had breaks my heart. It weighs so heavy on my heart knowing there are grown women asking “What is so wrong with me that my own father doesn’t want a relationship with me” or “Why am I not valuable enough to him to even try to save the relationship?” For a little girl to grown up thinking she’s not worthy enough to be treated better by her own father shatters pieces of my heart. I’ve had two young ladies very close to me just sob uncontrollably as they spoke of their own fathers placing a step-mom, multiple girlfriends, or anyone and everyone else in front of their own daughter. They ask questions I cannot answer like, “Why didn’t he protect me from my step-mom? Why did he allow abuse at her hands? Why did he not take up for me, his own flesh and blood?”
I’ve seen lives go down the wrong path due to the relationship young ladies have with their fathers. They long for a connection they did not have growing up, and they turn to emotionally unavailable men as they grow to become young women. They involve themselves with men who continue to mistreat and abuse them, who constantly have them questioning their worth and value. They lower their standards and become objects to men just because of their desire to be loved.
What wrecks me is the thoughts women have of their earthly fathers compared to our Heavenly Father. Some don’t want to give God a second thought because they fear He must be just like their earthly fathers. Their wounds are so deep they need therapy to heal from years at the hands of their earthly fathers. When we try to talk to them about God, they turn a deaf ear. They don’t want to face fear or rejection from another “fatherly” figure. It’s hard to convince them of our Heavenly Father’s love.
The Bible tells us:
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
#MomentumInfluencerNetwork
