Fathers

OK, I know it is not even close to Father's Day, but the other day as I was waiting for "Monk" to start, I caught the last few moments of a "Jag" rerun of a Christmas show, and thanks to the miracle of DVR, I was able to write down word for word what the actor was saying. I thought it was good enough to pass along. Remember, these are not my own words, but I agree wholeheartedly with them.

"When God revealed himself to us, he did so through a family, which is why I speak to you of Joseph, the forgotten man of the Christmas story. We know much about Mary and of course the Christ child, but the Bible makes few references into the life of Joseph. Therefore he remains a mystery, just as many of our own fathers do. But we do know that Joseph was a gentle father and a courageous man. He saved his family from Herod by taking them on a dangerous journey to Egypt; taught his children his own trade, as fathers do even today. Joseph died before Jesus grew up to be a man and began his ministry, yet Joseph still believed. Blessed are those who believe that he will bind up the broken hearted and free the captives.

"At his best, a father is the solid foundation of a house, taken for granted. At other times he may need shoring up himself. He may be tired; he may be impatient; he may be mired in his own problems; but always the father looks beyond the here and now. He keeps one eye trained on the next generation - so of necessity he is a man filled with hope. Hope that a knowing God watches over the universe. Hope that justice will prevail. Hope that we will be reunited with our loved ones.

"As the Apostle Paul said, 'Abide by these three; faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.' So when we give thanks to the Father for our blessings, let us not forget Joseph or our own fathers. May they not be forgotten."

Whatever their faults, what a blessing it is to have a father in the home who IS home, mentally, spiritually, as well as physically. We feel so blessed to have the fathers we have - your grandparents - and the son and sons-in-law that are the fathers of our grandkids. Thank you for what you are silently doing to bless the lives of others and to provide a foundation for our crumbling society. May God bless you.