Daughters

Josh 17:3 "But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. " NKJV

This is a weird verse to pick today. What is it about this verse that could hit me? I am like Zelophehad. I have no sons, but only daughters. Back then and in many societies today, sons are it. I know that the one child policy in China has resulted in forced abortions. These forced abortions make people choose the sex of their child and guess what…China has way too many men. They say that there are going to be 40 million men in China who are going to be bachelors because the Chinese are choosing to have boys not girls. From my perspective, not only is this shameful but it is just plain dumb. Why? Because girls are a blessing…I know…I have two of my own who have been nothing but a joy to their Mom and me.

I have heard: "Well, the Richardson names stops with you." My response: "If that is the way it is, that is the way it is." I would not want my family to be anything other than what God has made it and that is filled with estrogen.

This verse makes me think about my girls. Michelle and Elise are really the best gifts that God could give us. They are fun, energetic, smart, wise, helpful, loving, beautiful…and godly. That last characteristic is the biggie. My desire has always been for my girls to walk with Christ. To have a real faith, not something that Mom and Dad shoved down their throats, but something that they claimed and lived as their own. And now they are adults with lives of their own and what are they doing? Living their faith. I love it when they come to me and say: "Hey Dad, what do you think about….?" and the question is about the Bible or how to handle a situation in a Christ honoring way. They care about their relationship with God. They care about His word. They care about living exemplary lives in front of others and doing what is right. I remember when they were little I used to say to them: "Stay sweet." They have…and their husbands and kids (Maddie now and others someday) and their friends are the beneficiaries of what God is doing in them.

I bet Zelophehad felt blessed with his five girls. I am blessed because of my two. They are what 3 John says: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." They do.

Mich and Elise…I love you. Thank you for the blessing that you are. I would have it no other way.