” I am thirsty daddy”, this request was a predictable part of the bed
time routine with my oldest daughter. On some nights it was probably a
bit of a “stall tactic” but not one that I really minded.
What Father does not want his thirsty daughter to drink and be
satisfied? Little thirsty girls become older girls and then young
women. Their thirst will grow with them. They are designed and
intended to navigate these developing thirsts over the course of their
lives. Thirst is not the enemy; it’s the mechanism that draws them
into deeper truth and genuine satisfaction.
Young girls are designed to thirst for a real identity, a real source
of comfort, a real source of contribution that reflects their unique
hearts, gifts and calling. They are designed to thirst for a True Love
and for a relationship that is animated and defined by that love.
These are good thirst. They will pulled, prodded and drawn by these
thirst toward that which truly satisfies.
This will be uncomfortable for them and for us as their fathers. It is
also necessary, important and good that they make this journey.
In his classic work, the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis describes
this tension in a scene from The Silver Chair. Jill has been
unexpectedly swept into this new Landscape and is left to navigate
her deep thirst, the cool clear stream and the Mighty Lion, Aslan.
“Are you not thirsty?” said the lion.
“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.
“Then drink,” said the Lion.
“May I, could I, would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.
The lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at it’s motionless bulk,
she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.
The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.
“ Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.
“I make no promises” said the Lion.
Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.
“Do you eat little girls?” she said.
“ I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the lion.
It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.
“I dare not come and drink,” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming a step nearer. “ I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
Our daughters will outgrow their Sippy Cups and Night Lights. They
will come to a place in their journey where they must get to the Real
Source of Life. They will need Living Water to satisfy their deep
thirst. They will need to find their courage, they will need to risk
and trust the one who invites them to “Come and to drink”. There is no
other stream for them or for us.
Grace & Peace
Dr. Don Worcester
Our book, Prized Possession can help
Brilliant !!!!! Thank you!!!
Susan, Your words are kind
and encouraging. Thank you.
Woo is the King!
where are you located and do you have a discount code it asked for one on the order.
Hi Joan
We we are in Los Angeles. I’m happy to give you the code “20” which will give you 20%.
Thanks
Alan
I don’t even know how I stopped up here, however I thought this
put up was great. I do not understand who you might be but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you
aren’t already. Cheers!
Ronda,
Thanks for your encouraging
comment! My wife and I put up
additional content at donandrenee.com
Cheers!