Not Before 2058
I had a first time experience this past weekend that had way more impact on me than I ever thought it would. I guess every pastor with daughters experiences it at some point, but even knowing it's coming eventually doesn't lighten the blow.
One of our former students from our ministry in Kentucky got married on Hilton Head Island and invited me to officiate the wedding. It was beautiful...a great couple, on the beach, at sunset, on Hilton Head, with family and close friends pretty much defines beautiful. I even wore a seersucker suit. :-)
As the wedding began, I looked over the groom's shoulder and there sat our 4 year old, Molly. She and Ellie, our almost 2 year old, both wore these cute, white summer dresses. They were gorgeous! Lara Beth, who was gorgeous too, was walking around with Ellie to keep her calm, so that left Molly sitting next to my best friend Lee on the back row.
When I looked at her, I caught her eye and she caught mine. Time stopped.
And then she gave me her classic, blushing, radiant smile and my heart melted. It was all I could do to stay focused on getting Anna and Chris married.
After the ceremony, she ran up to me, threw her arms around me, and said, "Daddy, you did a great job on Ms. Anna's wedding. I want you to do my wedding, too."
No way I was holding back the tears at that point. And then the weight of what she said hit me...and I told her..."Uhh...of course I will, but not before 2058, babe!"
It blows me away how fast these girls are growing up. One day, I will give her hand to a young man who has been called by God to love and lead her. Between now and then, my highest calling is to lead her to love, follow, and serve Jesus. Everyday counts.
What a moment!
Dude, I can totally feel you on that one. This Sunday morning I'm going to baptize Caelyn. Tell me a brother is not praying for composer. Please pray that I can get the words out and not just sit there in the water crying like a baby. I'll let you know how it went. Hopefully I'll have some pictures as well.
Posted by:Eric Summers | May 15, 2008 at 10:56 AM
wow...what a moment for you! i can't wait to do the same with our girls. definitely praying for you this weekend, bro!
Posted by:jay hardwick | May 15, 2008 at 11:13 AM
dude- stop trying to make me cry. i've shared a similar moment with my little girl and it chokes me up.
Posted by:jason salamun | May 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Wow! My heart just melted. I am praying for God's perfect will and mate for their lives, but also can't bear to think about how fast the birthdays are coming now. Love, Mom (Nana)
Posted by:Diane Hardwick | May 15, 2008 at 02:59 PM
How sweet!!
Saturday night is sr. prom night for my oldest...yeah, it goes way to fast...enjoy it!!
Posted by:Rindy Walton | May 15, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Come on, I am not expecting to cry when I read your blog. Could you talk about Starbucks or something? I have those thoughts and conversations with my daughters too often. One thing I have learned is how to pray for the man that God is preparing for my daughters to marry! What a thougth, there is a little boy out there right now being prepared. I not only pray for him, but for his parents that they will be used my God to impact a boy that will someday be the man my daughter marries.
Posted by:Mike Thompson | May 16, 2008 at 06:44 AM
Beautiful post, Jay.
Posted by:Susanne | May 16, 2008 at 09:16 AM
That post was worth waiting 6 days for!!
Posted by:Jed Dearybury | May 16, 2008 at 08:56 PM
That post was worth waiting 6 days for!!
Posted by:Jed Dearybury | May 16, 2008 at 08:58 PM
jason & mike :: are you with me in protesting sappy daddy/daughter songs...seems like a new one is out every 3 months and they all sound like butterfly kisses. heard one last night coming home from the zoo...
hi mom! i know you're praying...just don't get in too big a hurry! :-)
rindy :: it's all downhill from there, isn't it!
susanne :: it's easy for a post about my three girls to be beautiful! thanks for the kind words!
jed :: thanks!
Posted by:jay hardwick | May 17, 2008 at 08:23 AM