Just A Man

Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man..."

I was reading this verse today and this statement made me think about what it's like being a father. The truth is: I'm just a man... trying to do my best, having issues of my own far from perfect, overwhelmed sometimes, wanting to provide for my family, to be a good role model, raise my girls with integrity and character, learning as I go hoping I don't mess things up too bad... I'm just a man.

I can't imagine what sort of feelings and thoughts Joseph had. He and Mary aren't married yet and he gets news that she's pregnant, and an angel has to come and clear things up because his mind has ran to some crazy heartbreaking imagination. How did he handle all that?

I often wondered why there isn't much said about Joseph as we see Jesus getting older. Mary is still around, but where is he? Was it too much for him to handle? Did he die while Jesus was young? The bible doesn't really say.

Being a parent, especially in today's society, can be very nerve racking. The violence, war, changing values and the moral culture, the tolerance of lifestyles and those expectations being taught to my girls... not to mention the daily pressures to provide for the family and watching how I behave because they are watching me and will learn to do things and handle things the way they see me doing it!

However, I believe I found encouragement in this same statement. In my eyes I'm just A man... but in God's eyes I'm just THE man! He gifted me with these children and says to me: "you're exactly the one I have chosen to teach, love and nurture them to become what I [God] want them to be! Yes, you're just a man, but with Me... you're a just man, and just the man I want to do this!"

God, thank you for giving me these amazing gifts... I need Your help to be just the man You want me to be. There's so much I don't know and not able to do, but You are growing me to be what You see deep inside of me. Help my girls to see You in me, and cover my weaknesses.