Daughter of the King.

Last night our American Heritage Girl (AHG) troop celebrated a wonderful tradition of honoring our 6th grade girls who will be moving to a new level in the spring. This event includes having the girls' fathers say a few words about their daughters and present them with a gift.

As part of the proceedings, the audience is told about a badge the girls have earned called "Daughter of the King."  

Here's what the AHG handbook says about being a daughter of the King:

"You are a daughter of the King! Though our culture may try to tell us differently, God sees each of us as beautiful, worthy of love, and full of potential!  It is important for us to hold these truths dear and live our lives accordingly, as our identity is in Him and we are made in His image."

As her mother, I make a concentrated effort to help Eliza Grace see her amazing worth and potential just as God as made her.

And Scott?  As her father he is KEY to this understanding. 

The relationship with, and the love and acceptance of, a daughter's earthy father immeasurably impacts her relationship with her heavenly Father, her self-image and, eventually, her relationships with other men.

Which brings me back to the events of last night.

Eliza Grace's sweet, sweet Daddy took the words he would say and the gift he would present very seriously.
Scott very publicly and eloquently told his daughter that he loves her and how proud he is of his smart, loving and quick-witted girl. He spoke about how much she has grown and matured in confidence.

He told the audience that she is a very brave and loyal young lady who is not afraid to try new things, voice her opinion or speak up for her friends and her beliefs.

He then presented her with a beautiful silver Claddagh ring, which he researched and picked out himself. He explained how he felt that the story behind the Claddagh described his daughter and how he felt about her. Take a look:

As he started to put the ring on her finger, he stopped and said, "Whoops, not that way.  That way would mean you're married," which got a chuckle from the audience and a mild look of horror from Eliza Grace.

Words have power and I know that the words of love and acceptance Eliza Grace heard from her earthly father will forever impact how she views herself and her heavenly Father.

She is beautiful. She is worthy of love. She is full of potential.

Eliza Grace is a daughter of the King.