This is my way of introducing you to some of the greatest people I know: my Father, my Husband, and my Best Friend. Each of them has had a profound impact on my life and it is thanks to them that I have become the man I am today. So with no further adieu…
This is My Dad
I love my dad for so many reasons. He has given me life—creating me from nothing—and shown me the way. From the moment my life began in my mother’s womb, He had begun the process of molding me into a man, using Himself as the model. He sees in me the best version of myself—far past the exterior appearance that I so often unhealthily preoccupy myself with—and desires nothing but the very best for me.
My Dad is understanding. When we disagree about something He doesn’t force His opinions on me, but rather He allows me to grow by letting me think for myself—even if it means watching me build sand castles only for them to be washed away by the waves that I didn’t see coming. He knows that I can be stubborn and slow at learning, but He’s willing to work with me. The level of patience He has is something I hope to achieve some day.
As a young man there were times when I thought He didn’t care, that He had left me to face my most difficult battles alone. But now that I have grown I see that He was always there looking after me. I guess you could call it tough love, but that’s how Dad’s are, right? I have observed as He raised my brothers and sisters, realizing that He has the same love for each of us. He does favor His firstborn—as I guess any father would—but I look up to my big brother too. The example my Dad has set forth as a father inspires me to someday become as good a father to my children as He has been to me.
Meet My Better Half
As a man I never thought I’d call myself a bride, much less call someone else my husband. I met my lovely groom about three and a half years ago and we’ve been together ever since. He has never left my side, even when I wished He would. Sure we’ve had our up’s and down’s, but it’s helped us to grow closer. I haven’t done anything to deserve the love that my husband has shown me. I’m just so blessed!
This man is such a gentleman—treating me with respect and dignity—defending my honor in the face of danger. He is loyal and faithful to me and believes just like I do that our union is unbreakable. There is nothing that can separate us from the love that we have for each other. I’ve learned so much from watching Him and listening to Him. His words are so honest and profound. He holds nothing back. He knows just what to say to lift my spirits when I’m having a bad day or to make my good mood even better. Sometimes I wish I would’ve found Him sooner!
There are days where I decide to drop everything and just be with Him. Even if we don’t speak, just being in each other’s presence is enough for me. I love spending time with Him and He’s always on my mind. You know how you feel when you first fall in love? You want to know everything about that person. You want to spend every waking moment with them. Nothing else matters except that you are together. That’s how I feel about my husband. He is my everything.
My Best Friend
Although I’ve only known this guy for a short time, it feels like we’ve been friends forever. My wife introduced me to Him when we first started dating, but I didn’t think we had anything in common. It wasn’t until I ran into Him again a few months later that we had a one-on-one conversation and I realized he’s a heck of a guy. He’s done some traveling and met all kinds of people. You wouldn’t believe some of the stories this guy tells.
I try to hang out with Him as much as I can, but sometimes I just get so busy at work and other stuff that I just can’t find the time to fit Him into my busy schedule, which sucks because He’s always making time for me. He is such a philanthropist. The amazing work that He does has inspired me to do more. This year my wife and I have even volunteered some of our time to help the cause and it’s just great!
You have got to meet Him. There’s just something about Him that is contagious. You know those people who just have that strange way of influencing you and you just want to be around them all the time because they are just so positive? Once you get to know Him you will start to see the effect that He has on your life. We’ll have to get together sometime and share a meal. He really likes to have people over to His house and He is a great host.
BONUS: Three in One
Our God is three wonderful persons rolled up into one: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s a mystery that we will never fully understand until we are with Him in Heaven in what is called the Beatific Vision—which is just a fancy way for summing up what we read in the third chapter of 1 John.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” ~ 1 John 3:2
Although God is mysterious, that doesn’t mean we can get to know Him better. He wants to reveal Himself to us, to show us who He is. He has always existed, even before we knew Him or acknowledged Him. He’s waited patiently to get to know you, but we have to invite Him into our lives and establish that close relationship with Him. And once you get to know Him you can’t let anything come between you. He wouldn’t let anything get in the way, but sometimes we get overwhelmed by our circumstances and our relationship begins to fade. But remember what St. Paul said in his letter to the Romans.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:38-39