Proud Father

I was visiting in a nursing home the other day and we were taking a break in the lounge area and we started talking with two ladies sitting there about Olivia (our 6 mth. old). The one lady looks at me and says, "I bet your so proud of her" and my automatic response was, "Oh, Ya, absolutely!! Thrilled!" and then my after thoughts were like, "I am???" somewhat puzzled, not that I'm not proud of my daughter or anything its just that I guess I never had thought of it that way. I mean I love her to death and think she's the best thing in the world, but never really gave it much thought that I'm really proud, proud to be her parent, proud that she is mine and came from us, proud in ways I never really thought of.
This all made me really think how proud our heavenly Father is of us. I mean, think about it for a second. And if you have kids or did and they are grown now you can really relate. As Olivia's father and her being only 6 months old, there is not a whole lot of "THINGS" that she does to be proud of, and guess what, THATS THE POINT!! She doesn't have to do anything to make me proud or to gain my approval, I love her no matter what!!! Why, because she's my daughter, she's born of our flesh, she is made like us (of course she is a spitting image of her dad), she is part of our family and has been since she was born, actually even before she was born. While Casey carried her, we talked with her, sang to her, and told her stories, we anticipated sharing life together even before she was born! I can't help but think how God, through, the Holy Spirit, "draws" people and "calls" people into a relationship with him by simply speaking the words into existence. The bible talks about how He foreknew us and called us from eternity passed!! How cool is that.
So, the point isn't how much we "DO" in God's name or for Him, (its not like He needs it, His GOD!!) He just wants our heart. There is nothing that brings me more joy than to have my little girl only being 6 mths old begin to reach her little arms in the air when she see's me, as if she's saying "I LOVE YOU, DADDY", and I pick her up into my arms and just love on her and kiss her and hug her. WHY? Because I am so proud to be her Father. Think about it.