Beside the Well
This week my husband celebrated his
64th birthday. It was great
fun singing that old Beatles tune to him and watching him enjoy time with his
children and grandchildren. Happy
Birthday was sung many times and gifts were exchanged. Hugs and kisses abounded along with the
laughter of children and the teasing of adults.
These are rare times for missionaries and their value cannot be
over-estimated.
This morning my Bible reading took
me to Proverbs 20. Verse seven reads,
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” I could not but stop and think of yesterday’s
birthday celebrations and see how God had fulfilled this promise.
A good father is a blessing from
the Lord. A man that walks in integrity
is one who knows how to walk in honesty, love and truth, understands his
position in Christ, and strives to pass his faith on to his children. A just man is one who is discerning and thoughtful
in decisions and creates an atmosphere of safety and growth in the home. He teaches his children how to navigate life
planting strength, wisdom and courage in their lives.
The verse promises a blessing upon
the children. This takes time. A father must sometimes maintain his
integrity and justness for many years before he sees the fruit of his labor,
but a just man will walk with integrity for as long as it takes.
My husband’s father is a golden
example of patience and love as he worked to provide the strength and example
necessary for one of his wayward sons.
Though he passed away before seeing the son return to the path of truth,
the son did return and today is a blessing to his family.
The father is the family’s
anchor. He is their ground upon which to
stand. He is their focal point.
As I watched my children and
grandchildren expressing their love for the man who is their anchor, I was
blessed to see such happiness, openness, and acceptance among them all. Truly, the blessing of God in their lives has
come because of the faithfulness of their father. His decisions, his tender care, and his
wisdom have created the basis of success for their lives.
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