18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yetdid not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
~Matthew 1: 18-24 NIV
On the Eve of Father’s Day 2025, I wanted to write something to honor the men in my life. I have been having memories and thoughts about Fathers for a few days now and that is usually God telling me to sit down, pull out the computer because He has something to say.
I have been reflecting on my dad – Manuel Gonzalez. He passed away in 2017 and that loss has deeply affected me. Reflecting on my dad from an adult lens, I realize now this wonderful man was a sinner saved by Grace, just like I am. Because he was human, he had faults; just like me. But overall, this man that God chose to be my father was everything I could have ever wanted and needed. My dad provided love, stability, wise counsel, accountability, and service. The most important thing he did was love me in such a beautiful way that I could believe that God in Heaven loved me and accept that. My dad lived his life like he loved Jesus. His inward heart showed up in almost everything he did.
My dad was home at night and sat at the dinner table with us as we ate dinner. He led us in prayer before we ate. He asked about our days. He supported what my sister and I were doing. He was all about family. He maintained close relationships with his brothers and sister. He was a loving son to his father and mother. He sacrificially loved my mother. He protected us. He provided for us. We never worried about life when my dad was involved. We went to church on Sunday morning, evening and Wednesdays and my dad led the family in all of that. My dad sang the hymns during worship.
This continued into my adult life. My dad held me accountable but always showed me love and mercy and supported me in cleaning up my adult life messes. In 1993, I married Cristina’s biological father. Cristina was born in 1996 and her father walked away from us in 1999 and into his new life and new friend. He has never been in my or Cristina’s life since in any meaningful way. When this happened and I found out about my husband’s secret life and friend, I was devastated. I had a three-year-old who adored her father and he just was not around us anymore. He was in the same town, but not in her life.
As I healed and started taking steps into my new normal as a single mom, my dad hit his stride as PopPop. He had three granddaughters (2 from my sister and Cristina). My dad stood in the gap for Cristina. He was so wonderful and so supportive of me and her. When her biological father walked away, he also chose not to support his daughter financially. I was $1,000 short each month. My mom and dad helped me so I did not lose my house and car. They helped with child care. They helped with household chores and handyman services. When I sold my marital home and moved into a smaller condo with Cristina, I paid them back in full. Cristina’s heart was full because my dad stood in the gap. She healed and had her PopPop in her life. We settled into a sweet routine.
In 2003, God answered my prayers and introduced me to a man named Bill Rickard who fell in love with Cristina and me. He said there was nothing we could do that Cristina would not be welcome. We got married in 2006. Cristina and Bill were two peas in a pod. He loved her and wanted her to be her best. He made her do her homework. He wanted to meet her friends. He wanted her to be honest. He provided for both of us. He was our handyman. He protected us. And, just like my dad, Bill loved Jesus more than he loved us. Bill brought dogs into our lives. He brought a more stable homelife to us. He was at the dining table when we ate dinner and prayed before we ate. He was at Cristina’s soccer games cheering from the sidelines. He was at church and sang the hymns during worship. He loved Jesus and you knew he did by how he lived his life.
I have always loved the story of Joseph, the husband of Mary. He was Jesus’ stepfather. Joseph loved Mary and seemed to be excited to join his life to hers, and then he heard she was pregnant and he was concerned. He loved the Lord and once the Lord explained everything to him, he stayed with Mary when she needed it most and supported her in the birth of Jesus. He was not Jesus’ father, but he accepted the earthly father position in Jesus’ life. He protected Mary and Jesus. He loved Jesus. He was a strong man in the Lord. He was a carpenter and taught Jesus his trade, just as a father would. I bet Joseph led his family to Temple and I bet he sang the worship songs too. Joseph is such an integral part of the story of Jesus. Watching how Joseph grafted Jesus into his earthly family, we understand a little better how God grafts us into his family when we accept Jesus as our Savior.
So, to all the men who stand in the gap of our children’s lives, thank you! Happy Father’s Day! It does not matter how you come to influence a child’s life; you are appreciated. We are grateful! Praying God’s blessings on you this Father’s Day!