Twirling with Daddy

Last weekend at the Women of Faith conference in Atlanta, Christian singer/songwriter Natalie Grant shared a beautiful story about her twin four-year-old daughters, Gracie and Bella. One morning over breakfast, Bella said that she didn't know if she could believe in Jesus because she had never seen Him. After expressing her doubts, her sister piped up and said, "I believe in Jesus because I've seen Him. He came into my room one night when I was scared and comforted me. And afterwards, He twirled me."

Natalie said she wasn't sure how to respond to her daughter's story: she didn't know if Gracie had really seen Jesus or if she was dreaming. Still, her daughter believed in Jesus because He had twirled her.

Sitting in the audience listening to that story, I was moved to tears by the innocence of this young child and couldn't help but think of my own two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and her love of twirling. It's actually a very recent phenomena, but in the past two weeks, Kate has insisted upon wearing a dress and barrettes in her hair "so I can twirl," she says.

And my little girl twirls.

What is it about twirling that little girls love so much?

Certainly, spinning around and around is dizzily fun. Watching your dress's skirt balloon out as you spin is also a sight to behold. And falling down when the twirling stops because you're unable to keep your balance is a blast.

But I don't think those are the real reasons little girls like to twirl. I think what is really special about twirling is who is twirling them.

Daddy.

When Kate's Daddy twirls her around in the kitchen, her little eyes light up and her face is all smiles. "Do it again, Daddy," she says, over and over again.

Sure, it's fun to twirl, but for a little girl, the real joy is in being so close to her Daddy. It's having his complete and undivided attention and knowing that he loves her more than anything in the world.

Little Gracie relished that intimate moment twirling with Jesus, not only because He had comforted her and made her feel safe, but also because Jesus had treated her like someone beautiful and special.

What little girl doesn't want to feel loved by her Daddy?