My dad has nice feet.
He also has nice skin.
And hair.
Next time you're around him, check em out. It's all true. :)
If you know the Ishikawa clan well, you'll know that it's been a running joke that these are some of my dad's best qualities. But don't worry dad, this isn't a blog about your feet, skin and hair...(phew!), but rather some insights I've gained over the years of deeper characteristics and qualities about you that I profoundly appreciate. It's a reflection, on this Father's Day, of how my daddy's love has established and developed me as a person, woman and child of God.
When I was little, I remember coming home from shopping trips with my mom and having my dad ask me to model my new things for him. I would rush up to my room, put on my new dress and walk confidently back down the stairs. I would turn the corner, do a little twirl and then watch my dad's face light up with joy and pride. He would always gasp and say something like, "Oh... aren't you just the prettiest little princess!" He never asked how much anything cost nor questioned why I needed yet another dress. He just made me feel beautiful and cherished.
Daddy, thanks for always delighting in me.
Growing up, I did lots of girly activities. Cheerleading, dancing, singing, gymnastics, arts-n-crafts, etc...basically anything that didn't involve a ball. Now for a dad, I'm pretty sure those kinds of activities are not the most amusing or entertaining to watch. Yet, my dad was always present. Whether it was at a 5 hour long gymnastics meet or an annoyingly loud cheerleading competition, my dad was just as excited to watch me do my thing as he was to coach my brother's baseball team. (Now, I realize that may not have been how he actually felt, but he made me feel that way!)
Daddy, thanks for being dependable and so dedicated to our family.
Throughout my school years, my dad spoke confidence into my life. He would tell me how smart I was and reassure me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. In college, if I ever felt overwhelmed or scared about a big test, I would cling to my dad's words and remind myself that "My dad thinks I can do this... so it must be true." Knowing that my dad had full confidence in me, subconsciously propelled me to challenge myself and go after big goals. When it came to boys, he would tell me on a daily basis that I deserved only the best and to never settle for anything less. I attribute a lot me marrying Steven, one of the best and most upright men I know, to my dad's life-long encouragement and tangible example of how a girl should be loved and pursued. I took my dad's advice. I didn't settle. As a teenager and young adult, I realize now how foundational and life-giving my dad's words were.
Daddy, your assurance and affirmation have allowed me to soar confidently.
My whole life, my dad had shown such concern over my health and safety. He never put me in dangerous situations, was always thinking ahead, and made it his #1 priority to protect me and my mom. I remember talking to him on the phone while driving home from work one night. He asked me where I would be parking (again, always thinking ahead...), and I told him I would park in a nearby lot. Knowing that I would have to walk through a dark alley, he told me that he'd rather I park on the street in front of my apartment. Quite annoyed and thinking I could take care of myself (I was 22, for goodness sakes!), I told him that I couldn't because I would get a parking ticket. "It's not that big of a deal, dad." But without hesitation, he told me to park there anyways and that he would pay the parking fine. "Better to be safe than sorry, Lauren."
Daddy, even though we poke fun of your desire for "safety and security", your protection really does make me feel like I'm a prized possession.
To this day, I still do not really know what my dad does for his job. It is often embarrassing when people ask me what he does for a living and I can't fully answer them. Something with banking? Trading...? Eh... (Which by the way, I'm still not entirely convinced that he doesn't just work for the CIA or something...) Anyway, I never remember my dad talking about work. He had this amazing ability to leave work at work and be fully present when he was at home. And even though I never really knew what he did from 9-5, I still know that I got my strong work ethic from my dad. I got my attention to detail from him. And I got my "If you're gonna do a job, do it right" mentality from watching and observing how he lived his life.
Daddy, you are a provider and a standard of excellence to me.
I am not sure all dad's realize this, but how a father relates and nurtures his daughter has lasting effects on her soul. I grew up knowing that my daddy delighted in me. That he was dependable and trustworthy. I looked to him when I needed assurance and took refuge in his protection. He always provided, always displayed high integrity and unconditionally loved. I have heard, "You are the love of my life!" from him more times than I can count. And it is through all these special stories and characteristics of my dad that I have developed a deep sense of myself and understanding of God.
You see, I know and understand my Heavenly Father's love because my daddy loved me.
This past year more than ever, I have seen how my confidence in the Lord has stemmed from the confidence and love I received from my dad. My view of God has been directly impacted by him--for it is easy to trust and follow my Heavenly Father because I have had such a good earthly one.
God delights in me.
God is always with me, always for me.
God provides.
God speaks love over me and finds me precious in His sight.
God is good.
God loves me with an unconditional love.
I know all these things to be true. But I also know there are people who do struggle to believe these truths--sadly because they didn't grow up with a dad like mine. I do not take this for granted. And the more I grow up (and even begin to start my own family), the more blessed I feel.
So thanks, Daddy. For loving me the way God loves me. For showing and displaying so many of the same fatherly characteristics of God. And for giving me so much more than just your nice feet, skin and hair. I love you.
He also has nice skin.
And hair.
Next time you're around him, check em out. It's all true. :)
If you know the Ishikawa clan well, you'll know that it's been a running joke that these are some of my dad's best qualities. But don't worry dad, this isn't a blog about your feet, skin and hair...(phew!), but rather some insights I've gained over the years of deeper characteristics and qualities about you that I profoundly appreciate. It's a reflection, on this Father's Day, of how my daddy's love has established and developed me as a person, woman and child of God.
When I was little, I remember coming home from shopping trips with my mom and having my dad ask me to model my new things for him. I would rush up to my room, put on my new dress and walk confidently back down the stairs. I would turn the corner, do a little twirl and then watch my dad's face light up with joy and pride. He would always gasp and say something like, "Oh... aren't you just the prettiest little princess!" He never asked how much anything cost nor questioned why I needed yet another dress. He just made me feel beautiful and cherished.
Daddy, thanks for always delighting in me.
Growing up, I did lots of girly activities. Cheerleading, dancing, singing, gymnastics, arts-n-crafts, etc...basically anything that didn't involve a ball. Now for a dad, I'm pretty sure those kinds of activities are not the most amusing or entertaining to watch. Yet, my dad was always present. Whether it was at a 5 hour long gymnastics meet or an annoyingly loud cheerleading competition, my dad was just as excited to watch me do my thing as he was to coach my brother's baseball team. (Now, I realize that may not have been how he actually felt, but he made me feel that way!)
Daddy, thanks for being dependable and so dedicated to our family.
Throughout my school years, my dad spoke confidence into my life. He would tell me how smart I was and reassure me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. In college, if I ever felt overwhelmed or scared about a big test, I would cling to my dad's words and remind myself that "My dad thinks I can do this... so it must be true." Knowing that my dad had full confidence in me, subconsciously propelled me to challenge myself and go after big goals. When it came to boys, he would tell me on a daily basis that I deserved only the best and to never settle for anything less. I attribute a lot me marrying Steven, one of the best and most upright men I know, to my dad's life-long encouragement and tangible example of how a girl should be loved and pursued. I took my dad's advice. I didn't settle. As a teenager and young adult, I realize now how foundational and life-giving my dad's words were.
Daddy, your assurance and affirmation have allowed me to soar confidently.
My whole life, my dad had shown such concern over my health and safety. He never put me in dangerous situations, was always thinking ahead, and made it his #1 priority to protect me and my mom. I remember talking to him on the phone while driving home from work one night. He asked me where I would be parking (again, always thinking ahead...), and I told him I would park in a nearby lot. Knowing that I would have to walk through a dark alley, he told me that he'd rather I park on the street in front of my apartment. Quite annoyed and thinking I could take care of myself (I was 22, for goodness sakes!), I told him that I couldn't because I would get a parking ticket. "It's not that big of a deal, dad." But without hesitation, he told me to park there anyways and that he would pay the parking fine. "Better to be safe than sorry, Lauren."
Daddy, even though we poke fun of your desire for "safety and security", your protection really does make me feel like I'm a prized possession.
To this day, I still do not really know what my dad does for his job. It is often embarrassing when people ask me what he does for a living and I can't fully answer them. Something with banking? Trading...? Eh... (Which by the way, I'm still not entirely convinced that he doesn't just work for the CIA or something...) Anyway, I never remember my dad talking about work. He had this amazing ability to leave work at work and be fully present when he was at home. And even though I never really knew what he did from 9-5, I still know that I got my strong work ethic from my dad. I got my attention to detail from him. And I got my "If you're gonna do a job, do it right" mentality from watching and observing how he lived his life.
Daddy, you are a provider and a standard of excellence to me.
I am not sure all dad's realize this, but how a father relates and nurtures his daughter has lasting effects on her soul. I grew up knowing that my daddy delighted in me. That he was dependable and trustworthy. I looked to him when I needed assurance and took refuge in his protection. He always provided, always displayed high integrity and unconditionally loved. I have heard, "You are the love of my life!" from him more times than I can count. And it is through all these special stories and characteristics of my dad that I have developed a deep sense of myself and understanding of God.
You see, I know and understand my Heavenly Father's love because my daddy loved me.
This past year more than ever, I have seen how my confidence in the Lord has stemmed from the confidence and love I received from my dad. My view of God has been directly impacted by him--for it is easy to trust and follow my Heavenly Father because I have had such a good earthly one.
God delights in me.
God is always with me, always for me.
God provides.
God speaks love over me and finds me precious in His sight.
God is good.
God loves me with an unconditional love.
I know all these things to be true. But I also know there are people who do struggle to believe these truths--sadly because they didn't grow up with a dad like mine. I do not take this for granted. And the more I grow up (and even begin to start my own family), the more blessed I feel.
So thanks, Daddy. For loving me the way God loves me. For showing and displaying so many of the same fatherly characteristics of God. And for giving me so much more than just your nice feet, skin and hair. I love you.
