🎄✝️ Joseph in the Christmas story was a stand in dad. He was a dad that he didn’t have to be. He wasn’t too scared or insecure to step into a tough situation for the glory of God and the good of Mary and baby Jesus. His reputation wasn’t as important to him as the people he was providing for and protecting. He was faithful to God and faithful to his family, even beyond his biological family. 

I have an evergrowing respect for stepdads (and stepmoms) and others who are standing in, in hard places, going above and beyond for the good of kids and families. It’s a Joseph-like thing to do. More importantly, it’s a godly thing to do. Psalm 68:5 says God is a father to the fatherless. We may not stand in at the capacity that Joseph did, but we all have opportunities around us to exceed the very low expectations of fatherhood that our world has for dads. We can go above and beyond for our kids and others — being the dad we don’t have to be, but get to be.

The other day I saw on instagram where Colorado Coach Deion Sanders had stood in for a player’s dad who is in prison, and walked him across the field for senior day for the Colorado Buffaloes. Deion said the young man asked him to walk with him and he replied “You don’t have to ask me twice. I got you.” I had the thought — we need to be the kind of men that young people feel comfortable asking us to fill dad-like roles for them when they need it. They need to know that we’ll say “You don’t have to aske me twice. I got you.”

The angel didn’t have to tell Joseph twice (Matthew 1:20-24). He stepped up in a big way. And in doing so he go to be a part of the greatest story in all of history. He was a stand in dad for the Savior of the world. Pretty amazing. And it all started with faithfulness, some courage, and simple obedience. 

I’m also gonna add a link to an old cheesy Country song about a dad that didn’t have to be. You’re welcome 😎😂 https://youtu.be/BjO1F6oCab8