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| My Dad |
His arms covered in sawdust and sweat, my dad would come out
of his shop after working on another piece of wood he had created into a work
of art. He had many hobbies over the years including scuba diving, leathercraft
and archery, but woodworking was his favorite. Photography was another at the
top of the list that he developed into a sideline business. He was busy week
after week recording on film the memories of weddings, graduations, school
functions and sports. My brothers and I were among the subject matter for photo
practice and our images filled up numerous photo albums. I spent a lot of time
with him in his darkroom watching the magic of glossy paper immersed in
chemicals become a black and white photo. Ah, the days of film. Eastman Kodak
never dreamed the days of celluloid would end.
Dad was a quiet man but could make his opinion known when
necessary. He hardly ever spanked me, but I do remember a time when I was about
seven years old sticking my tongue out at my mother. I was across his knee
before I knew I had left the floor. Needless to say, I kept my tongue in my
mouth for the rest of my growing years. He worked for forty years as a butcher
and Mom would always tell him to pick out the meat to bring home for dinner. Our
dogs loved following him around because his work shoes picked up the residue under
the meat cutting saw. Those pets were treated to meat scraps that made their
coats shine like a pair of patent leather shoes.
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| Joseph taught Jesus the trade of carpenter. |
My family hasn't broken any Guinness records or earned any historical
landmarks named after us. We are ordinary. Jesus’s family was ordinary, too. God chose to
send His Son into an everyday family instead of a king’s palace.
We don’t know much about the Joseph who served as Jesus’
earthly parent other than the record in Matthew and Luke. While the two had no
biological connection, the hard-working carpenter filled the role of raising
the young Messiah and teaching him a trade He used until the day the Man left
home to preach and teach about God’s kingdom. Joseph and Jesus would have
attended synagogue where the boy learned about the Law of the Lord.
Jesus had an earthly dad as the Son of Man and a heavenly
Father as the Son of God. When we believe on the Son we are born as children of
God into His family and the heavenly Father becomes ours.
Is He your Father, too? If not, Father’s Day is a good time
to be born as His child.
Share your thoughts about Father’s Day.
TWEETABLES
Such a good article. Enjoyed reading about your father. I'm thankful for Christian fathers who led us in the path's of righteousness.
ReplyDeleteYes me too. We both had one!
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