We recently had a youth pastor live with us for a year.  He turned 21 while in our home.  He is young in age but he also has wisdom that is God-given.

However, God always has MORE in store and we always have room to learn and grow. I see him like a son; therefore I will give him advice like I would a son.

When the passionate, young pastor left this past week, we sent him off with a note containing our “short list” of marriage advice, seeing that he is engaged and the two will soon become one.  This post will contain some more treasures I have collected over the past 22+ years being married to the greatest man I’ve ever known.

Because the young pastor has not lived in our family since birth, he has only witnessed some, but not all, of the countless ways my husband, and the father of my 3 biological children, models Christlike humility at home and in the world.

Our own children, 15, 16, and 19, have probably not grasped the vastness of their daddy’s Godly character either, but I am going to attempt to put into words how that is being lived out.

This is a letter to my boys, including my “adopted” young, passionate pastor son.

They will most likely be husbands and fathers one day and this is the best gift I could ever give them.  It is also the best gift I can give my girl, for now she will know what kind of man to look for.

There is much Christ-like revelation through the life of my man!  Prepare to be blessed!

Dear Boys,

If you only listen to one thing I say,

let this be the day.

 Love never gives up.

You have a dad who exemplifies endurance.

He does not look for easy or depend on life insurance.

The quick fix is not an option and to quit is off the table.

He is calm and kind and patient, when we are all unstable.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Your dad is selfless with his time, with his talent and his treasure.

He fills and feeds and meets our needs, he gives beyond all measure.

He takes red-eyes to support our dreams and gets black-eyes playing on our teams.

That is just what Love Does.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

The picture of contentment is this man who loves us well.

He lives for God alone and is grateful, you can tell.

He doesn’t have the “wants” , that this world has to offer.

He gladly gives his life for us, the Son and Father!

Love doesn’t strut,

His pace is that of peace

and his gait is slow and steady.

He holds the doors and leads the way

until we’re sure we’re ready.

 Doesn’t have a swelled head,

As for pride, there’s not a trace,

but his confidence is sure.

Humility in all he is.

He exemplifies secure.

Doesn’t force itself on others,

He is gentle and aware

of the space he needs to leave.

He doesn’t push his own way,

He listens and believes.

Isn’t always “me first,”

He is a set of shoulders

that he offers for our feet.

He sees our potential,

when we just see defeat.

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

His patience is like Job

and he keeps his voice down low.

He is quick to listen,

but with anger and words he is slow.

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

He never holds a grudge

or throws our weakness in our face.

He only sees our good

and encourages our race.

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

It breaks his heart to see one suffer,

even if they get what they deserve.

He prays the prisoners free

and he lends a hand to serve.

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

To see his kids and wife, pursuing TRUTH and LIFE,

is the wind beneath his wings.

Integrity at work, leading others to the Lord,

is the song his full heart sings.

Puts up with anything,

Late nights, early mornings, to be or not to be

He asks God to use him so he takes anything.

It isn’t always fun and his comfort takes backseat.

Trash, dishes, diapers or dogs, he gladly puts up with all things.

Trusts God always,

He may not trust the world

but he trust the world MAKER.

He is not cynical or worried

Because his God is a GIVER, not a taker.

Always looks for the best,

He sees our gifts and strengths

way before we do.

When we see through his eyes,

we can see them too.

Never looks back,

A visionary with a work ethic beyond compare.

Living fully in the present, while dreaming big dreams no one else would dare.

The past was a great teacher, the goodness of the Lord he has tasted.

Walking in his purpose, no lesson will go wasted.

But keeps going to the end.

His love is unconditional

and it will never stop.

He is our rock built on the ROCK,

He is my husband and your dad,

Your pop!

(**He takes after the ONE who made him, after all, he is made in HIS image.  He does an excellent job of being an imitator of Christ. May we follow suit!)

To my daughter:

Find a man like that! 

If you haven’t already noticed, the larger words are plagiarized; however I do not think the Author minds one bit.

See 1 Corinthians 13 MSG

“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”