Daugh-ter n. a female child; a woman considered as if in a relationship of child to parent: a daughter of the nation.
adj. possessing the characteristics of a daughter; having the relationship of a daughter.

Monday

What does the word ‘daughter’ mean to you?
When you think of being a daughter to your parents, does the thought cause you pain or joy? Why?
Write down how you would describe what a daughter should mean.
How does your identity as a daughter affect your view of God as a Father?

Tuesday

The Spirit Himself testifies with our Spirit, that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16 (NIV)

Your identity is enhanced as you encounter depth of experience in life. I have been a wife for 18 years. The day I was married I considered myself a wife. But, 18 years later I realise that my identity as a wife has changed tremendously. The change has not occurred in the role, but rather in the knowledge of the role.

It’s interesting to see how people can respond so differently to each other in similar situations. What affects this? In my experience, there are outward influences and inward influences. But as I get older (and wiser?), I am realising that it is my identity that tends to flavour my responses. Without the knowledge of who we are it is difficult to build on any rich purpose for our future. Identity is key to the foundation of character and growth. You may not have a firm identity in who you are. Or you may think you knew, but a circumstance has rock the boat of identity for you. If you have Christ as your Saviour then you are automatically a daughter of God. Not just a daughter - but a royal daughter! Here is an identity that no circumstance can change; no person can remove; no feeling can influence. Your identity as God’s girl will begin to take hold of you and enhance as you experience depth in your relationship. I pray that my identity as God’s daughter is stronger and deeper in a years time. If you can catch this in your heart the foundation of who you are will be firmly established. So, today tell yourself you’re a daughter and begin the walk as a woman that knows who she is.

Wednesday

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18 (NIV)

Naomi had given Ruth the option to return to her own family. As her widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth did not have any obligation to stay with Naomi. But Ruth, in her declaration of loyalty, shows Naomi love beyond her role as a daughter-in –law. Ruth sacrificed everything to go with Naomi - not as a widowed Moabite woman - but as a daughter. And it is here that the true heart of Ruth is revealed - she is not governed by rules or tradition, but by her heart and the relationship of love she has for Naomi.

Here we see a strong essence of identity in Ruth. She has a depth of knowing who she is within herself and who she sees herself as in relationship with Naomi. It is not that she denies her Moabite status, but rather she chooses to focus on the family bond between herself and Naomi. What strength of character! Ruth did not take the easy option. She chose to go the harder road - and it wasn’t carried out in an attitude of self pity or bitterness. No. She rose up to meet this challenge as a woman of grace and honour. She became a daughter of choice.

Thursday

So we have seen what Ruth’s response was to Naomi. The love a daughter would express to her parent. What should we be governed by in our image of a daughter? Do we let the frail human example of parenting affect how we see our Father God? Or do we follow Ruth’s example of a woman who grasped her identity as a daughter; embraced the challenge it would bring; and stepped out to be the woman she had the potential to be? God wants His daughters to step out and follow Him.

It may not be the easier road to take. It may require some sacrifice, as we see in the example of Ruth. But, as Ruth stepped out and chose to be a daughter of honour God stepped in to honour the daughter Ruth chose to be. Yes, it is a choice, and how you choose to live it out is also a choice. You have the potential to be a dynamic daughter of God by allowing Him to bless your humble, open heart. If you’re going to walk the road to a new land and leave the other behind, you might as well go with a cheerful heart governed by the love you have for your Father. Otherwise, the road trip - and all the beautiful scenery along the way - will be lost on you!

Friday

If you want to deepen your relationship with God as His daughter, spend some time today writing what this means to you. If there’s something preventing you from accepting your role as God’s daughter it may be time to face it. Be encouraged to share your fears, hopes, desires and dreams.

Grab a pen and open your heart - there is never going to be a better time to break down any kind of wall separating you from God. It may be a wall built from your childhood, built so long ago you can’t remember life without it. Or perhaps it’s been a deliberate wall you have constructed to protect yourself from God as your Father. Whatever the reason, as His girl you have gone beyond the option to return to your ’Moabite’ status! The time has come to call Him Father/ Daddy and you know what…in His heart you’re already His little girl, He’s just been waiting for you to believe it.

Has your Father been prompting you to step out for Him as a daughter? If so, write down some thoughts about what is in your heart. If not, write down some dreams you have been pondering for a while and ask your Father to show you what He wants you to do with them.

Write down Romans 8:16 and put it in a prominent place so you can read it regularly.