a story and a thought

i know a man who has a brilliant daughter.

fair-skinned with hair the color of late evening sun, she invented a contraption for veterans with phantom pain. she has been interviewed by the new york times, was almost diane sawyer's "person of the week" and recently presented her work at a conference in england. she was voted one of glamour magazine's 20 amazing young women, where emma stone gave her an award. it should be noted that she is a good bit younger than me. and i am young.

but this man, this father, he will not brag on her too much. oh he smiles when talking of her, and his eyes do a little dance across the ceiling when he playfully rolls them over her accomplishments. and i know he is proud because he brings the articles to work. and he does tell her of his pride, he assured me. but every time i gasp at another of her honors, he tells me, "i just remind her--it's good to be recognized. and right to be rewarded. but you are not of this world. remember that and keep your head."

what a sentiment.

ribbons and medals have their place. i still have my cheerleading trophies in an old tupperware container in the basement. but we are worth so much more than anyone could ever tell us. than any article could ever exalt us. what if we told our children that? our little girls? to seek praise, beauty and mercy above the rest. to strive to live a simple, wholesome, beautiful life reflective of God's glory and light. what a more worthy, eternal goal.

along the way, we will receive rewards in this life. people will applaud and compliment us. there will be moments when entire rooms of eyes will rest on us alone. but people will step on us too, and manipulate us, and deceive us and shame us. to constantly strive for the profit is to become vulnerable to the loss. but to maintain grace, self-respect, humility and patience prepares you for  both.

i think this man loves his daughter more than most. come to think of it, he thinks she's out of this world.