Daddy Daughter date + my poncho

I heard someone say recently that the best decision that they have ever made was deciding to  live their life for themselves and not living life to please God and others. I agree and disagree. You might have a difference of opinion, but please, hear me out. {“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:39}

My thoughts about this topic began last week. My dad texted me and said “I’m praying for you. And, your Heavenly Father is pleased with you. Let’s plan a shopping and lunch date.” I thought immediately “why wouldn’t God be pleased? Or, better yet, why is He?”

{Fast forward to today}

As I was primping for my lunch date with my dad {Rod Aguillard, the best Dad in the world}, I was giggling at the thoughts that were rolling through my mind. “What will we talk about?”, “What restaurant will he want to go to?”, “What should I wear?”, “What does he really think about me?”, “Will he mind taking selfies? {because I have to snapchat this}, “What will I do when he no longer is here on this earth with me?”, etc…

I began to compare my thoughts and questions regarding my earthly father to thoughts and questions that I sometimes have regarding my Heavenly Father. “What are we going to talk about for 30 minutes much less an hour?, “What will He require of me?”, “What does He want me to look like?”, “What are His real feelings toward me?”, “Can I tell others about the revelations, dreams and visions that He gives me?” {my question #forreal before I began blogging}, “What do I do if I don’t feel His presence or if He doesn’t answer my prayers?”

I can tell you now that I learned a very long time ago that I don’t live to earn anyone’s affections or pleasure, BUT I’m human.. my heart does leap in knowing that someone so dear to me is proud of me, enjoys me, loves me, and accepts me.

I have come to learn that I don’t have to earn God’s approval or pleasure because He already delights in me. Umm, hello, He gave up His only Son for me. I don’t win His affections by clocking in 3 hours of Bible time and prayer every day, witness to 10 people each day, serve in every church ministry, walk rightly and talk righteously 24/7. Seriously, we really don’t have to show off or cause a seen to win His affections because they are already overflowing for us.

So, what is my conclusion on this topic? I live to love Him and to know Him. In this journey, I lose my self-centered life but gain my identity and purpose in Him.

So, I don’t live my life to please anyone or even myself…

 I actually will want to spend as much time with Him as possible, pray without ceasing, serve everyone and anyone because I’m living to love Him. In knowing Him, I partake in His desires and burdens. My life and attitude is an overflow of that Daddy Daughter connection. It does our heart and our mind some good if we would pursue {date} our Heavenly Father more often. Try it!! I dare ya.

So, talk about not wanting to please, I have a confession. This poncho was originally a blanket scarf {OOPS}. I thought it was way too thick to be wrapping it around my neck. I measured it and cut two slits for each arm. I think that it came out perfect!! If you love this poncho, burgundy jeans, tunic, fedora and fringe booties as much as I do, here is the link to shop for each of those exact items: www.liketk.it/1NGsy