Two Less Lonely Girls

Ella has starting to become a bit obsessed with Justin Bieber the last couple of weeks. I have tried to protect her from the craze as long as I could. Not that I personally have anything against the kid, I just don't want my daughter freaking out over him;  like the hundreds of thousands girls, teens, and moms across the country. She has always known a couple of his songs from the radio and the wii game, "Just Dance for kids." However, she has found his movie "Never Say Never" on Netflix. She has watched it a couple times. She is now singing the songs, dancing to the songs, and talking about Justin as if she knows him personally..... Great! I tried! Thanks Netflix..

Ella wanted me to sit with her and watch the movie last week because she said it is "such a good movie, and Justin even prays to Jesus in it." She even pulled the old, "We need to have some daddy-daughter time and watch the movie together."

So I did.

She curled up next to me and we started the video. Every couple of scenes she would get up and dance around the ottoman and then come back and plop down beside me. I'd get a kiss on the cheek a time or two when she would sit down. I have to admit, I haven't finished the movie yet, but it's actually pretty good..

We are sitting there and they begin to tell the story of his song "One Less Lonely Girl." The song is basically about how Justin plans to make "one less lonely girl" by loving her and dating her. It's cute. They show screaming girls getting taken up on stage, given flowers, and serenaded by Justin. Ella gets up dances and then gets the idea she wants to go to a concert.

NOT HAPPENING... That didn't sit well and she pouted as she she sat back down across the couch from me. I remember wanting to go to a NKOTB concert really bad and not getting to go. So I feel her pain, but it's temporary. She'll get over it. (If you don't NKOTB then Google it)

I'm listening to some of the lyrics of the songs that he wrote. This kid is singing..
"I'm going to put you first, and show you what your worth. Let me inside your world, and there will be one less lonely girl. " 

While sitting there, I get to thinking about these lyrics. God reminds me that the world is not going to have just one less lonely girl, but two--if I keep putting my girls first, showing them what they are worth, and staying inside their world.

The reason so many girls wind up being lonely...is so many do not get the attention from their fathers that they desire, so they search for it in other guys. I have always taken my responsibility as a father very seriously. I shower my girls with affection and affirmation. I want them to be content in who they are, and how God created them regardless of what "boys" think of them. I'm constantly telling them they are "smart, funny, beautiful, and loved."

John Eldredge says that I have to answer their question, "Am I beautiful?", before and more often than anyone else. Not only do I tell them "YES!" but I also tell them why. If I don't, someone else will give them the wrong answer.

So if you have a daughter...take her out this weekend and let her know how beautiful she is.

And just in case you don't know....now you know....enjoy!