My daughter is a LOSER!
Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 by Anthony in
Recently, I setup an Instagram account for my daughter in an effort to promote the fall release of her debut baby accessories line. Despite my intentions to stick to my mission, it didn't take long for me to get sucked into the culture that exists on Instagram among parents who think they have the world's cutest kids. I ended up entering Quinn into a photo contest for @babies_with_swagg and she LOST! It honestly didn't bother me one bit until I woke up early this morning to pray. As I began to intercede for Quinn, an UNUSUAL travail overtook me and I began to cry uncontrollably (not because she lost, people). Actually, I'm still teary-eyed as I type this entry...
Most times when you are praying in the Spirit, your understanding is unfruitful and you have to wait on God to reveal what it is that He is saying TO you or praying THROUGH you. My intercession for Quinn started in english this morning but quickly shifted to my second language (if you know what I mean) once I started crying. In english, I was simply asking God to give us (her parents) insight regarding her destiny that we might steer her in the right direction. I was asking for His plan for her life and yielding myself to Him so He can parent her through me and that I would simply be a channel for His purpose towards her.
Well, in the midst of my snottin' and cryin', God spoke to me regarding her future (which only made me cry more). I won't reveal what He said right now because I haven't told her mother what I heard yet and I don't want her mad at me for telling strangers first! lol However, I will share this:
Even though Quinn lost the competition, she's obviously not a loser. That was just a catchy title to get you to read this. As a matter of fact, she is totally unaware she was even in the competition or that people were voting for her. She may have lost the popular vote but she has her DADDY's unconditional love and approval, which she REVELS in daily! This scenario, of course, produced a light bulb moment!
The message I received from my prayer session this morning was...
As long as you seek the approval of people, you will LOSE! No matter how many people "vote" for you, it's only the approval and love of our Daddy (God) that will bring true fulfillment in our lives. Anything you do that is not aligned with your purpose will cause you to suffer loss, even if you succeed at it! Your time and energy are EXTREMELY limited and should be used wisely and expressly to fulfill God's purpose and thereby bring Him glory. While you are running around trying to get votes from people, you are misappropriating time and energy that doesn't even belong to you. God loaned it to you for His purposes and His pleasure.
Honestly, you don't have time to answer every email, respond to every text message, address every scandal, correct every misconception, respond to every critic, etc. You would be better served using all of that energy to worship God, seek His plan for your life, pursue the dreams He places in your heart, be a great parent, help some people in need, etc.
The warning I leave you with is to BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SUCCEED AT because it WILL cause you to FAIL at something else. What do you profit if you gain everything you want in the world and lose your soul or your purpose? God's time and energy are NOT to be wasted! I have SEEN, with my own eyes, the scriptures come to life. As I resist the temptation to busy myself with EVERYTHING thrown at me and instead spend QUALITY TIME seeking God, SUCCESS in every other area of my life is simply given to me. On the contrary, when I ignore Him and focus my time and energy into simply working hard or trying to win favor with people, and creating my own way... there's never enough time in the day and I end up exhausted and frustrated! (even when I succeed)
Take a page from my daughter's book and just relax and revel in the approval and love YOUR Daddy (God) has for you. Become oblivious to the approval of people and spend your energy loving your Daddy (God) and watch how He promotes you. Quinn never posted ONE picture or sought ONE vote. All she has ever done was tell me she loves me, smile at me, and believe that I love her too! Her daddy was the one on Instagram posting pictures, soliciting votes, and promoting her business. When a man's ways please the Lord - God is the guardian and defense of all that fear and love him; and it is truly astonishing to see how wondrously God works in their behalf, raising them up friends, and turning their enemies into friends.
Today, I ANTicipate failure at everything that robs me of the time and energy that I need to succeed at God's plan for my life! God bless you for taking the time to read this!
I know it shouldn't ... but it's just so mind boggling to me how much you love your daughter. In this day in age, fathers that love their daughters (children) is rare (especially in minority groups). My faith has taught me that I shouldn't group men or anybody in such negative categories but it's hard... However, seeing a man of faith, with love for his child, is just amazing. it's proof that God is still working in our world and we just have to accept Him and let Him do His work. You are proof that not all is lost in the world. Parents aren't losers, especially those who try hard. I myself have put Carmen in contests and she hasn't won one yet. I (probably like you) don't have time to be on the internet every single minute to beg for votes from people. But the point is that we have tried ... And in our eyes they are EVERYTHING to us... Thank you Ant for entries like this one. Like myu daughter is singing right now with her "God music" - God is taking care of her and gives her what she needs!