“I got an award,” she told me, matter of factly on our walk home last week.  There was a hint of pride in her voice as she tried to modestly conceal her growing smile.  Of course I was excited for her and so proud as she pieced together her story of being the top fundraiser in her school for Hoops for Heart.  She participated with this school wide activity because it was a program from the American Heart Association and because her Aunt Sarah had had a heart surgery quite some years ago.  So she called family members from all over the country and also shared with a few good friends in town.  And they all lovingly supported her to the tune of $287, which happened to make her the top earner from her elementary school and the proud new owner of some fun incentive prizes and this beautiful paper certificate.

And as excited as she was to tell me, she was tenfold excited to tell her Daddy.

So as soon as he walked into the gate, she ran right over to him.

She retold her story in the shadow of his awe for her.

She smiled on as he read out loud her award detailing all of her accomplishments.

And then she smiled that smile that only comes when her Dad shares his great love and pride just for her.  And it was a beautiful and heartwarming thing to watch (and photograph) from afar.

I love our daughter and love to see just how much her father adores her.  I love the beam she gets and the pride she feels knowing how much he cares about her.  I’m telling you, at 10 years old, there are many times that she feels that she is on top of the world and able to do any and everything, because she has a wonderful father who loves and supports her and who takes great joy in her.

And my little “Aha” moment of the night came when I looked through these pictures and was reminded that this is something that we all have.  Sure, some of us are blessed to be able to have it because we also have dads here who love us and support us.  But on top of that and most importantly, we have God, as our loving and heavenly father who is our biggest fan and our greatest supporter.  There’s this verse that I stumbled upon some time ago in Zephaniah 3:17, that I absolutely love and that reminds me of this very thing.

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

No matter who I am, or what I’ve done, or what I’m going through, God is with me.  And not only is he simply there for me, he loves me and delights in me and rejoices with me as well.  And when I know these very things, I too feel on top of the world and as if I could accomplish most any and every thing.  And every day, this is exactly what I need to be reminded of.  That with my God, I find acceptance and adoration, and support and love.