So there I was, precariously perched on a step ladder, with a cordless drill in one hand and my other hand supporting the 9 foot vertical blind mechanism so it wouldn’t come crashing down on my head when the last screw was taken out. And I suddenly had a thought that made me smile.

I bet Dad would be proud of me.

My Dad never actually taught me how to take down ugly vertical blinds by myself, but he did teach me how to be resourceful, how to think things through, how to solve problems. I never saw him panic, I never saw him afraid to take on a challenge. He kept at something until he figured out how to make it work.

And it made me think about God. And about how I want Him to be proud of me, too. He might be proud of the way that I tackled the living room window situation, but it’s more than that. I want Him to be proud of the way I live my life.

God has taught me well. But I still must make the choice to put those lessons into practice. I want Him to look down on me and smile when I step out in faith, when I face a difficult and challenging situation with confidence. I want Him to be proud of me when I make the right choices, when instead of going into a panic about something, I seek Him out and stick with Him until things become clear.

The ugly vertical blinds are down. A new curtain rod is up. My living room window looks good. I think so, anyway. But I hope that when I look at the window and think about how proud Dad would be of me, I’m also reminded of my heavenly Father who cheers me on and watches to see how I’ll follow His lead.

What I want to hear Him say is, “That’s My girl”.

The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11