To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
(Steven Curtis Chapman - "Cinderella")
Every time I listen to this song, I start crying. Haden played it to me the other night in the car, and in the midst of all the excitement we have going on right now planning our wedding, planning our future, wondering what God has in store for us, I am realizing how much my life is changing, and how incredibly blessed I am. I can see my dad standing there waiting for me to come out of the dressing room at the church, in my wedding dress, ready for him to walk me down the aisle and give me away to his new son-in-law. And suddenly all the memories rush back of him being the best dad a girl could ever wish for. The ways he has cared for me, loved me, taught me, protected me, shaped and molded me. All the times he unconditionally supported all my crazy plans and dreams - not because they were particularly smart or sensible, but simply because he believed in the one who came up with them, and he decided that loving and supporting me without condition would teach me immeasurably more than correcting or disillusioning me ever could.
The creative and selfless ways that my earthly father has loved me in the past 25 years have greatly influenced and shaped my relationship with my heavenly Father. So often I think of and thank the Lord for providing a dad who - even though he never consciously tried - mirrored so many of the characteristics of God to me. It is because of my dad that it is easy and comfortable and possible for me to even start fathoming the kind of love that God has for me. Because of the promises whispered to me as a child I can now be excited and head into an unknown future without any fears or worries. Job 8:7-10 says: Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, or we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you. Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?
It is the instructions I was given by a caring earthly father that allow me to listen to, value and desire to obey the instructions I am given by my heavenly father. My dad has lived his life in such an honorable, straight-forward and honest way that everything he says and does transpires into the hearts and minds of his daughters. Never did I have to questions for even a second that every word he has ever said, every decision he has ever made was said and done with my sister's and my best interest in mind. What a blessing! And what a path he (unknowingly) created for me to walk on and ultimately meet my heavenly father! When I read the Word today and find those same provisions, those words of wisdom and love there, how easy is it for me to accept and trust that my heavenly father has my best interest in mind:
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
(Proverbs 4:10-14, 23-27)
Treasuring these words in my heart, finding guidance and comfort in them, strengthens my desire to pass these things on to future generations. When I listen to the words of Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Cinderella", I do not only find my own dad in it, but I also see Haden dance with the children we don't yet have, whispering God's promises into their ears, preparing them for a life of faith by living and breathing a life of integrity himself, just like my own dad did and does. When I listen to this song, I see and feel the seams of different generations, of different families, of different value systems run together into a colorful quilt that tells of a Love that reaches beyond those differences and whispers promises of eternity.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
(Psalm 145:3-5)
