It has been said that "imitation is the highest form of flattery." Our children love to imitate us. Whether they are pretending to be daddies going to work or mimicking our conversation, children practice at being grown-ups by pretending they are their dads. Children naturally want to follow their fathers wherever they go, whatever they do, and whatever they say. Fathers show their children the way through life.
Part of our job is to show our children how to live so that they can follow us into happy adulthood. We speak truthfully to them and show them by our actions how much God loves them. This is a father's way -- to "imitate" God's love. A father's way is God's way. When we speak and live God's love, our children naturally want to follow us and be like us. We raise our children to be merciful, wise, and loving grown-ups.
Our Lord, prior to beginning His ministry, grew up and followed in His earthly father's profession. He became a carpenter just like Joseph. I can imagine a young Jesus hanging out with His father in his workshop. Picture Joseph working on a table or some other project and Jesus is asking him, "What is that tool your using?" Joseph would probably respond saying, "That's a hammer, son." Watching Joseph closely, Jesus would then ask, "Why do you do that for, dad?" After thirty minutes of silence, we can see Joseph look up from his project to see his son hammering a piece of board like his father. I can see the huge smile on Joseph's face as he goes over and places his hands on Jesus to help him hammer a nail properly into the wood. That is one of the greatest moments in life for a father.
I remember standing outside one day watching my dad work on his truck. He had his tools out and he would say, "Hand me a monkey wrench" or "Hand me that doflitchy." Of course, I had no clue what he wanted and he would have to point to it. But as a child, I felt good that I was helping dad. Later he would take me mowing with him. He taught me how to mow. He would always gripe when grass would be blown out into the street. Now I catch myself getting mad when I see grass out in the street. If you are one who blows the grass onto the street; I hope I don't drive by you, because I wouldn't want my blood pressure to rise.
Not only did Jesus follow His earthly father's career, He chose to be about His heavenly Father's business. He went into the salvation business. In Luke 2:49 MKJV, a twelve year old Jesus said, "Do you not know that I must about My Father's business?"
Joseph prepared the way for Jesus to follow in God's footsteps by reflecting God's love. He set the example of what a godly man is. I'm sure that Joseph prayed for Jesus every day that He would grew up and be a godly man and to fulfill God's purpose in His life.
As fathers, we must be like Joseph, setting the example for our children through our actions, words, and love. What way are we leading our children? Today, let us travel a father's way and show our children how to follow God's way.
Happy Father's Day on Sunday, June 21. Make sure to lead the way by taking your children to worship God at church.
