Family Man

Those of a deep Christian faith understand the term, "family man." They breathe the word "Father" without pause or apology. It is personal, it is powerful, it says quite tenderly, "You are my beloved Father and I am your son/daughter." Some people believe such intimacy demonstrates a lack of respect or reverence, that it is pushy or arrogant, but this lack of Divine knowledge and understanding can only rob the soul of Heaven's absolute joy. Jesus Himself taught them to pray, "Our Father" - and went on to teach them how to approach His throne and trust, "The Father."

As Gentiles born again, we are adopted into the family of God and one of the first things we learn through this adoption is that God is a family man. He knows each child by name, He knows all about them and He ministers to their needs as a personal, "Abba Father (Daddy)." He has a way of making each child feel special and at home, and so greatly loved. And so we are, and so our Father God is the prime example of what Fathers are supposed to be.

There are many challenges to being a Father and we could discuss them all if we had about ten million years. However we understand the basics, the "first steps" required of a man who becomes a Father in this world, and especially if he patterns his role after the Father of heaven and earth who explained this role of honor in His letters to the Church.

The first thing a man learns is that Fatherhood is not easy. It is laden with responsibilities, a mixture of pleasure and grief and a zillion questions - that is if you are truly a caring father. I think so often of Joseph, a kind and Godly man, chosen to marry Mary and to raise Jesus, to be His earthly father, the human influence that would teach, protect, and nurture Him in the things of God and in the things of this world.

In the beginning of this saga of miracles Joseph did not swallow Mary's story that Gabriel had visited her and announced that she would bear the Son of God in her virgin womb. Joseph feared she had betrayed their betrothal. While he was considering a way to put Mary away quietly so as not to humiliate or endanger her, Gabriel visited Joseph in a dream. He assured Joseph he need not be afraid to take Mary as his wife for that which was within her was indeed seeded by the Holy Spirit and was the Son of God. And he - Joseph - had been chosen to stand by Mary's side and raise this child. It would be the ultimate mission of their lives.

When Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, the Seed prophesied of in the Garden was planted. Mary would be the Seed's mother and now, three months into this miracle, following her visit with Elizabeth who gave birth late in her life to John (the Baptist), Joseph was reassured that, in six months God would bring this Seed forth and Joseph would please the Father if he would fill the role as the Seed's earthly father.

There was one stipulation - one command. They could not consummate the marriage until after the child was born and Mary's purification days were fulfilled. There could be no contamination or breach of Mary's virginity. It had been prophesied by God and by the prophets that a virgin would give birth and the prophecy could not be compromised. God needed two people who would believe Him and obey Him and the hearts of Mary and Joseph had been proven to bow with reverence to the will of the Lord.

And Joseph knew if he made a move toward his wife ahead of time, God would kill him on the spot.

It was a day of families. It was a nation of families. God had designed the family prior to his creation of the earth and when the time came He taught His creation well that marriage was a holy institution, created and designed by God, and that family meant a Mommy and a Daddy and a home tightly knit in love and mutual respect. Children were taught to honor and obey their parents as well as their God.

Even the animal kingdom was devoted to raising its young, mothering them, fathering them, until they were grown enough to leave the nest. It is a natural setting, since it takes one male and one female to produce a likeness of the two. And it takes both, working in harmony with God, to properly raise that likeness. And if all works out, that seed of likeness will also grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ...

What an humble father Joseph turned out to be, what an humble and gentle soul that bowed to accept Heaven's most honorable assignment. Such an honor would never again be bestowed by Heaven upon any man. It was a one time election, a once-in-the-history-of mankind event.

Of course, one cannot force a child to love God. One cannot force a child to receive a truth the world at large does not accept. The rebellious of this world are not against their earthly fathers (or mothers), but are rebellious against the God of Heaven.

Fathers and mothers of this world must understand that the sons and daughters they are blessed with in this life are not their own. They belong to God, they are merely loaned to their earthly parents for this lifetime. These parents are to bring them up as the Father's children, much like the Godly Joseph was chosen to raise Jesus as his own son when in truth he was the Father's Son...

Put your hand in the hand of the Father, and let the Father cushion you in His feathers. He is a family man - a wonderful and caring family man who will care for you when no one in this world seems to care at all. Then whisper, "Abba Father, thank you, thank you for who you are, what you are, and for my own great salvation. Thank you that by Grace you have saved me through my faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for accepting me in the Beloved, for accepting me into your Kingdom family, and for being my Father. Thank you for Jesus and for the Holy Ghost, and thank you for the promise that you will never leave me nor forsake me.

Thank you, Father, that when it rains on the just and the unjust, the just do not fear getting wet. We know your feathers will dry us off, and with your own hand you will dry our tears..."

Joan Krempel
July 9, 2010
joan@joankrempelministries.com