From the Foreword:

I've never known the steadfast love of a dad. I've lived with the disinterest of the man whose genes I carry. I've experienced the panic of breathlessly trying to escape the vicious grasp of a raging giant of a man who claimed the legal title of "stepfather." For years any reference to "father" or "daddy" stirred not fond memories or grateful admiration but caused a surge of painful, even fearful, emotions.

By giving you my background upfront, I've potentially disqualified myself from writing a foreword to a book on father-daughter relationships, but in spite of (or maybe even because of) my personal history, I am an ardent supporter of this project. I am intimately acquainted with the heartache of not having a healthy, loving, relationship with my dad and understand why it is so important that this fundamental relationship be restored in our culture!

Many girls suffer greatly on their search to fill the void in their life left by a father who is not proactive in filling his role. It is all too common to go "looking for love in all the wrong places." Naturally the quest is often for two strong arms to bring a sense of stability but, to the contrary, further devastation is often the end result. Unwed pregnancy, miserable marriages—and the tragic cycle is perpetuated. More brokenhearted, unfulfilled men and women, more children who live with only half the love their little hearts innately crave. I know in my life it is only by the incredible mercy and love of Jesus, and extraordinary sacrifice on the part of my mom, that I am not a casualty in the war on the family.

I wish that my own dad could've read this book. Maybe in our relationship, things could have been different.

If life was an "equal opportunity" provider, and I could have "opted in," I would have been a "daddy's girl" all the way! As far back as may memory will carry me I was in search of a hero. I would have loved to have had a dad who could bring guidance and insight, and cheer for my successes. I would've worked hard to make him proud, but I was never given the chance.

While I can't change my past, I do have hope for the future—for your future! The fact that you have this book in your hands encourages me greatly! I challenge you to read through it prayerfully with an open heart and mind, allowing the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your life and relationship that may be deficient and could benefit from some fine-tuning.

If you are a father (or hope to one day carry that mantle) this book will further illuminate for you the privilege and responsibility of that position, inspiring you to take great joy in being your girl's daddy, but rejoice with understanding—being a father means so much more than merely "making a baby" or even "making a living" for that child. God has entrusted into your hands a soul that desperately wants and needs all the loving guidance you can give.

Through these pages David Barrett will help equip you with the tools needed to build a solid foundation and raise up women of God.

Precious daughters, if you have a father who is trying to be a good dad, please don't take it for granted. Open your heart to the message of this book and seek to be the best daughter that you can possibly be. Take delight in being a daddy's girl! It is such a blessing to see young women like my friend, Elysse Barrett, who truly understands and values a heritage with which she has been entrusted by God.

It is my prayer that through the message of this book the Lord will raise up polished cornerstones -- worthy of a palace!    —Mercy Hope: Writer, Speaker, Interviewer
 

ENDORSEMENTS

"IF AMERICANS PUT INTO PRACTICE in their homes what David and Elysse share in this book from their relationship and insight, we will raise up a generation of polished cornerstones to the glory of God and the preservation of the family and our nation." —REV. PATRICK MAHONEY, Director, Christian Defense Coalition

"A BOOK OF THIS NATURE is deeply needed in today's society. The Barretts have lived an example that can serve as a guide to fathers and daughters." —BRANDI SWINDELL Co-founder & National Director, Generation Life

"THROUGH THIS TREMENDOUS BOOK, David and Elysse offer hope and direction." —WILLIAM J. FEDERER Author, Speaker, former Congressional Candidate

"DAVID AND ELYSSE have a beautiful father-daughter relationship and through this book, they share their strategy for ... making an impact for God and for our culture." —DR. MARSHALL FOSTER, President & Founder, Mayflower Institute

"I LOVE THIS BOOK! There is life-impacting truth for both fathers and daughters here. Virtually every facet of the father-daughter relationship is covered from childhood to adulthood. This is a desperately needed and well balanced book."—DR. S.M. DAVIS, Pastor, Park Meadows Baptist Church

"THIS FATHER-DAUGHTER TEAM carefully bases their teaching in Biblical principles, and share their experiences with honesty and humility. Theirs is the kind of relationship I desire to have with my own
two daughters." —JEFF MYERS, PH.D. Founder, Passing the Baton International, Inc.

"I APPLAUD THE EFFORTS of David Barrett and his daughter, Elysse, to call fathers and daughters back into right relationship with God and each other." —SKEET SAVAGE, Founder, Wisdom's Gate