"Knight in Shining Armor"! No, I am not talking about some handsome young man riding on a strong steed who is coming to rescue you from deadly peril. I am talking about your father. Of course he is probably very handsome (though perhaps minus the steed), but he is certainly there to rescue you from the deadly perils of the world. Our fathers are our protectors and guardians, both of our physical bodies and of our hearts and minds.
But they can't do this without our help. Many girls reject with scorn the protection of their fathers, and the fathers in turn do not offer it. Daughters are also to be helpers and servers of their fathers. Here are some practical ways that you, as your father's maiden daughter, can do that.
• Find out his interests and preferences. I know that my father prefers his drinking water at room temperature, rather than cold, and so when I am filling his glass, I do not have to ask him if he wants cold or not. Your father will appreciate when you do not have to be incessantly asking him "do you want this? or this?". Find out what things especially interest him, even if they are not of interest to you.
• Do small things to serve him. As I stated above, I fill my father's water glass for him at meal times. Keeping a close eye on your dad's glass and his dinner plate, be sure to notice when it is empty and refill them for him. Other areas may include: ironing his shirts (did you know that many men like their shirts ironed a certain way?), bringing him his slippers when he comes home (if he wears slippers, of course), making meals you know he enjoys if you cook, and doing the things he asks you to do cheerfully and quickly.
• Help his helpmeet. One of the best ways you can help your father is to help your mother, your father's helpmeet, to free her up to better serve in her role as a helper to her husband. This would include chores, such as doing the dishes, the laundry, taking care of your younger siblings, etc.
• Protect and build up his reputation. It may sound funny to hear the term "protect" connected with the daughter's role, but we girls have the power to protect and build up, or tear apart our father's (and mother's, for that matter) reputation. A girl walks by in a gaudy outfit, swinging her hips, laughing loudly, and behaving indecently. We think, "What is her father thinking to let her dress and act that way?" Our fathers get blamed for the wrong things we do. We need to be a blessing, not something of which to be ashamed. Also, never say things like, "Oh, my dad would kill me if I did that." Obviously you do not mean that, but in saying so even in jest, your father comes across as an unreasonable tyrant, rather than a father who has lovingly placed restrictions upon his daughter for her good.
• Write your father a letter, telling him you trust him, and accept and embrace his protection and leadership. He will be greatly encouraged to know that his daughter is backing him up in his role as the head of your family!
