My husband and my boys working together
Through the screen door I watched as my husband sawed a board for the patio project he is working on. Ethan with his hammer in hand stopped to watch as did Spencer and Jake. My husband has such patience with his children he is able to explain to them what he is doing while he is working on a project. That is how they learn from him by watching and listening.
It is a precious sight for me to witness my soul mate teaching our children anything. As moms our attraction to our husbands changes over time, for some the attraction is all but gone, for many moms the actions that are attractive have more to do with kindness towards our children or a willingness to help around the house. My husband cleaned up all the dishes from dinner recently without me asking him to while I was writing. When I saw the kitchen cleaned I just wanted to kiss him. It shows consideration and selflessness when our husbands do simple things around the house when we don’t ask them to do it or if they simply offer to help.
We attend church every Sunday without fail. When we were first married he said “We will not miss Church except for illness” to which I agreed fully but to hear that it was such a priority made me love him even more. On Sunday at Church I often catch a glimpse of him praying and I fall in love with him all over again. It takes a strong man to pray, believe in God so fully and to set the example for his children.
When our husbands become the father of our children so many dynamics change in our marriages. Old ideas of marriage transform into survival mode then as our children age we have more time with each other but still have little time to complete a conversation without the children’s voices being heard. As time moves on our relationships will continue to change and transform that is part of life. As we age I feel sure other aspects of the man he is will surface and give me the opportunity to love him even more. For now I will hold sacred the sight of him teaching and loving our children.
Aw, Lori, that’s so nice. I’ve got warm fuzzies. And I happen to love how the dynamics in relationships change. I love growing with Dennis, and yes, of course things are different now than when we first met, but everything is so much more fulfilling as well. Another great blog!!
Great reflection Lori.
The world could surely use more like him.
All of the positive attributes of a father that you’ve described depict the holy St. Joseph and his relationship to Jesus.
“I watched as my husband sawed a board for the patio project he is working on.” “My husband has such patience with his children he is able to explain to them what he is doing while he is working on a project. That is how they learn from him by watching and listening.”
It is important that fathers model their fatherhood after the foster father of the Redeemer. His strong silent presence was very powerful, not only to the God-child and to our Lady, but also to future generations.
The father is the first image of God that children see. He is the spiritual head of his family. He directs his children to God and he also makes certain that their spiritual and temporal needs are met.
Also, moms could never be like our Lady without a St. Joseph to support them.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflection and
God bless you and your family+++