Good Morning Pastor,
I know we’ve never met, but I’m writing to you about my daughter, Selah. (You know, Selah; she’s that silly 7th grader in your youth group; the one with the light brown hair and twinkling eyes, who’s always laughing at the wrong time, probably during your sermon).
As I write this, she is only 3 years old.
I’m sending you this letter, because there are some things I need you, as her pastor to tell her right now. I know she listens to you.
You see, I’ve been trying my best since she was little, but lately I know my words do not always connect like they used to. We seem to do nothing but argue these days, and she doesn’t really hear me when I talk to her.
I mean, I understand, I’m just her Dad; that old guy who’s always misunderstanding her, constantly bugging her to clean-up her room, and generally just making her feel awkward by my public displays of affection and my apparently odd clothing choices. (I used to be cool, I’m almost sure of it…But anyway, I digress).
Pastor, I know you have a lot going on, but it would mean the world to me if somehow, during your talks and games and discussions, you could make sure she hears these words.
– That she is created by God; perfectly and beautifully, with a purpose much greater than herself.
– That her worth is not in her waistline or her bra size, in her complexion or the thickness of her hair, but in her uniqueness as His loved child.
– That her identity is not found in some boy in her class, or a group of girls in the lunch room, but by her relationship with Jesus.
– That her achievements and grades and trophies don’t define her, that she is defined by her integrity and her character.
– That her biggest mistakes and greatest failures are insignificant in the face of God’s love for her.
– That the truth about her, is not in what others say or think about her, but in the reality of the choices she makes.
– That her body is not a tool to get attention and affection, but a treasure to be guarded and honored.
– That compassion, love and mercy for others are the way her life is measured, not by her bank account or job title.
– That I am her biggest fan even when I am her greatest critic.
Hopefully, as Selah gets a little older, my voice will go from the “white noise” it is now, to the calming, wise, reassuring presence it is as I write this. One day, I know she will hear me more clearly and receive the desires of my heart unfiltered.
But until then, Pastor, as you teach about sin and salvation, about forgiveness and service, and amid all the trips and games and events and services, please make sure she knows these things.
I’m counting on you.
Sincerely,
Selah’s Daddy
P.S. Please don’t tell her I wrote this or she will kill me! 🙂
