Unconditional Love

This is a love letter written to my daughter. It's what I want her to know. Through my faltering love I see a glimpse of God's perfect love for me and know that it doesn't make sense but He is Father crazy about you and me.

I wanted you to understand,
I think you have mis-heard.
When I tuck you in at night,
and fill you with my words.

I say how proud I am to have,
A girl so bright and sweet,
Your excellent report card,
Sure knocks me off my feet.

And, oh how your eyes sparkle,
Your smile lights up a room!
Your spirit beams as brightly
As a Carolina moon.

Your tenderness to others,
Is rare with folks these days.
I brag upon your kindness,
And all your loving ways.

Your taste in clothes is stellar,
Your acting skills immense,
But would I care tomorrow
If you lost that fashion sense?

If your lengthy hair just vanished,
If your hazel eyes went bland,
If you saw a mean kid throw a punch,
And didn't take a stand.

If you failed each and every test,
And your teacher cursed, "Why try?"
If you were less than average,
And all you did was cry.

If all these bad things happened,
This part I hope you'd guess;
To me you'd be as beautiful,
And in my eyes the best.

It's fun to try your hardest,
For hard work brings rewards,
But that doesn't make me love you,
Nor does it make The Lord.

You'll see as you get older,
And then you sure will know,
It's not what your child does or says,
That makes you love them so.

You are NOT what you do, my love,
They are different as can be,
They're easy to get confused at times,
But love knows differently.

I love you, little person,
Just the way you are.
You need not bring me presents,
Nor play me your guitar.

You couldn't be more wonderful,
No matter what you do,
The thing I'm most in love with,
Is that God made you, you.

So, try new things with gusto,
And fail and fail again,
Just in the ring attempting,
Itself, indeed's a win.

Here is a video of my son Jack getting baptized by his pastor/dad--John.