A Few Good Men

My husband left the house at 3:30 a.m. to plow and salt the church parking lot.  He works so hard.  Besides his full-time job, he is always looking for side jobs to bring in extra money.  He is always doing some sort of work at home too, fixing, repairing, improving.  I'm ashamed to say he is quick to do a job I forgot to do, and he never complains about it.  Even this snowy day he calls from work to say, "Wait for me to get home and we'll all go outside and have fun in the snow together."  Have fun?  It's his way of saying we girls don't have to shovel the driveway and deck and sidewalk.  He will do it later.  But, of course, we don't wait.  To honor him we make sure the work is done before he gets home.  We're an efficient team and we anticipate him arriving home with no more work to do. 

The girls are happy to help their dad because he sets the example for generosity.  Fred and I learned a marriage principle that really works.  We try to outdo one another in showing love and respect.  But Fred wins every time.  He is the sacrificial one.

My brother was in town on business and came for dinner.  He said his 18 year old daughter--my niece--has made a list qualities she hopes to find in a potential husband.  If she's looking for high ideals, she need only look to her father.  Like Fred, my brother is a good man:  generous, wise, loving, helpful, and respectful to his wife and children.  My own daughters can look to their father too.  I hope none of these girls will settle for less.

Fred recently won an award at work.  He was voted the man most willing to help out wherever needed.  He is what the Bible describes and our church calls a servant-leader, leading others, whether employees or family, with respect and humility.  It means being willing to dig in and work alongside others, never regarding himself as being too superior to do the dirty work.  "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant."  Words of Jesus.  (Matthew 20:26)

I know a few other good men, my sons for example.  They work hard and take good care of their families.  I am honored that all of these men are part of my family.