And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”2. Corinthians 6:18

I have been thinking a lot about daughters, especially since both of ours recently visited. We’ve seen Laura more often because she lives in Boise and there is more opportunity to see each other, but Lisa is in Salt Lake City and has not been here for months due to the health concerns of coming from out of state. Dan and I miss both “girls” and their families very much and I pray daily for this family-separating virus to be banished to the farthest ends of the abyss – yesterday!

One morning as we were preparing yet another meal, I watched as both of them poked around in the kitchen, in the pantry and cabinets and refrigerator, just making themselves right at home. Laura especially likes to check out what we’ve gotten from Costco or the extras supplies stored on garage shelves; she has no qualms about hinting, very politely of course, if she can take something home. We never say No, or deny her what she might like and can’t afford. Lisa as the older sister is less obvious, but is as comfortable in our house as in Salt Lake, whether cooking, cleaning up or sitting around chatting. For all our family but especially the daughters, it is literally, Mi casa, su casa.

There is something about daughters, more than sons, always being at home in their parents’ house. I remember going back to New York for visits. No matter how many years I’ve lived elsewhere, I was “going home.” Like my girls, I knew every inch of my mother’s kitchen and where she kept all her dishes, linens, silver and glassware, clothes, books and every treasure she and my father owned. I knew the house and garden, my Dad’s cluttered workshop and basement shelves filled with odds and ends. Everything was familiar because my indulgent parents had always given me full access to what belonged to them. I respected that, never took advantage of their generosity but also knew in my heart, they wanted me – and my brothers- to have what was theirs. The unspoken permission was a privilege which we also give to all our children, but especially to my daughters. I wasn’t quite as free wheeling with my father, even though I knew he’d give me whatever I needed, if he could. Too often I didn’t ask often enough.

Jesus taught that our Father in heaven is far more generous than we are with our own children. No matter how indulgently I allow my daughters to take what is of mine, God is infinitely more accessible, generous and indulgent.
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”Luke 11:13

Jesus promises that my heavenly Father will give me anything I ask according to His will. All the riches of heaven, all the abundance that God has for us in Christ Jesus are stored in His mansions. I’d like to think He’s waiting for me, His daughter, to rummage around his storehouses, His royal household furnishings, His special treasures, His cosmic mysteries of delight and say, “Father, can I have this? “ Yes! “ Father, You promised me … , remember in Your Word?” Yes and Yes. “Father, I could use this bottle of Holy Spirit oil, this bread of Jesus’ holy life and crown of power and authority. What do you have wrapped up on that back shelf? Father, how you spoil me with Your creative love!

I’m learning the wonders of poking around in the Father’s House, in His secret places for His good and perfect gifts. Our loving, indulgent Father already knows before we think to ask ask and He keeps saying, Yes and yes and yes… to us, His special daughters. As I journey closer homeward to the familiar, Su casa, mi casa.