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Sunday grace

Jun21

Father’s Day was quiet at the Wright House. I fed Sweet William well, and he did as he pleased. No suggestions or agendas from me. He said it’s been a good day.

I remember my own sweet dad, now gone from this life many years. I miss him today. I think of two friends spending their first Father’s Day without their dads. I know it is hard.

I thanked God for the man who influenced me so much. God meant for children to have loving fathers in the home. Our culture is missing out if we negate that fact.

I honor fathers and those who walk in the role of fathers. You are important to the world. This is my tribute to you.

To the fathers who walk crying babies at night so mommas can get a little sleep,
To the fathers who are brave enough to change a diaper, change their work schedule, and change their ways for their children,
To the fathers who run alongside kids on bikes without training wheels, who sit on hard bleachers while the game goes on, who take their children to music lessons and sit through recitals and keep giving encouragement along the way,
To the fathers who teach math and science in the evenings and who teach life by their actions more than their words,
To the fathers who show their boys how to treat women with respect by doing the same for their wives,
To the fathers who show their little girls how precious and beautiful they are and that they are worth waiting for,
To the fathers who protect and fight for and provide for their families, 
To the fathers who pray for their children, who take them to church, who read the Bible in front of them,
To the fathers who are faithful to their children’s mother and treat her like she is a precious treasure,
To the fathers who offer grace when their kids mess up,
To the fathers who make mistakes, fall down even, ask for forgiveness, and pray to be more like Jesus every day,
To the fathers who love and care for other men’s children like their own,
To the fathers who become grandfathers, stooped and aging, yet still standing tall in spirit, offering wisdom born of years,
To the fathers who show their sons how to be men and dance with their daughters, 
We need you to be strong.  We need you to be men.  We need you to show us what it’s like to be loved in a small measure by God the Father.
On this Father’s Day, I pray God’s blessings on you as you stand tall and walk brave in this world.

Grace, mercy and peace to all of you from God the Father and from His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sunday grace.

Joseph

Dec13

To all the men who have fathered other men’s children.

To those who took on the responsibility to provide for, to love and to model Christ when you didn’t have to.

To the men who have loved their mothers enough to make a commitment to her, a covenant that will not be broken.

To those who gave their name, their identity, their heritage.

To the men who taught them what a good day’s work is, what is looks like to lead lovingly, and how to build character and integrity.

To those who worked with sons and danced with daughters.

  *   *   *   *   *   *   

You are an important part of the story, just like Joseph was in the life of Jesus.  Though he was not the birth father, he put on the cloak of duty without concern for himself.  He forsook fear and lifted the shield of faith.  He disregarded the questions about his honor and what others thought about him.   He had been given the truth and that was enough.

joseph2

It was enough for Joseph to obey where he was called, to go forward and not look back.

And he, Joseph, called His name Yeshua.

The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son. You will name the son Jesus.  Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:20-21

Sunday grace.