God’s Word speaks volumes to the relationship between fathers and daughters: His most sacred duty is her protection and preservation from childhood to virtuous womanhood. He leads her, woos her, and wins her with a tenderness and affection unique to the bonds of father and daughter. Success in his life mission is directly related to the seriousness and compassion with which he seeks to raise her as an industrious, family-affirming, children-loving woman of God.
She, in turn, looks to her father as a loving picture of leadership, of devotion, and of care. Her relationship with her father will help to define her view of the worth of a woman, the meaning of fulfillment and contentment, and her vision for virtue. When these relationships are realized and cultivated, the generational mission of the Christian family is secure.
Is it any wonder that Satan is on the prowl seeking to tear the hearts of daughters from their fathers, and driving wedges of indifference between them — fathers with no time for their little girls, and young ladies who have replaced the love of their fathers with the acceptance of peers and inappropriate romantic relationships? The Vision Forum Ministries Father & Daughter Retreat is one step on the journey of recovering the preciousness of this relationship so crucial to the kingdom-building work of the Church.
Participant Comments
My heart has been filled to overflowing! ... I’ve witnessed my daddy be encouraged as he soaked up the teaching of godly men and my sister and I have been renewed through the fellowship and the righteous example of like-hearted girls. Our relationships with one another have been improved with new shared precious memories. We’ve all been reminded that we are not alone. God faithfully continues to preserve a remnant. Praise the Lord! ... I arrived here Friday afternoon weary, but I’m going home today ready for the next battle, strengthened to stay the course. —Anna C.
The conference was extremely convicting and inspiring. Essentially, I was totally shown how, as a father, we must be “spiritually awake’ and involved with our daughters. Coming from a background where my parents were not intimately involved in my life and future, it is vital that I plan, not just for now, but for the future godly “seed.” This is a concept foreign to many Christians today. As fathers, we sometimes go on “automatic pilot” — but rather, we need to be constantly thinking things through, until we give our daughter away to a godly man. —Joe B.