Adam Lowe became a father on the day he became my husband. And since that day he has given everything to be a loyal, attentive, caring and supportive father . . . and the list goes on!
Today is his 40th birthday, and I just want to honor him in this special way by telling you how grateful I am for him. He has given so much of himself to each of our four sons. And he continually submits himself to the will of God for our family. He was the one on my mind when I wrote the blog post below. I’m so proud of him and look forward to many more years of our teamwork in parenting together.
Happy birthday, Babe!
Updated 12/24/23:
Read Adam’s beautiful words of God’s voice to us throughout history, including the most precious way our Heavenly Father whispered His love to us through the gentle cry of a baby.
Do You Hear What I Hear – by Adam Alva Lowe
Originally published December 22, 2021:
Mary’s miraculous pregnancy and birth of her son Jesus is one of my favorite accounts in Scripture. Her obedience to the Lord, in spite of logic and understanding, demonstrates a humility and trust in God I long to live by.
Can you imagine being in Mary’s sandals? Gabriel appears out of nowhere, with comforting assurance that she has found favor with the Lord.
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35 ESV
And yet, her immediate response is that of complete faith.
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38 ESV
But the part of her story that has been sparking joy in my heart this Christmas season is the role of someone else. One who didn’t ask to be thrown into the fishbowl with Mary, but who jumps in willingly in response to the Lord!
Joseph.
A man I imagine to be kindhearted and gentle, strong in his convictions and obedient to the Lord. He was the man God chose to be the earthly example of a father to Jesus.
Even when he learned Mary was pregnant with someone else’s child outside of marriage, most likely feeling utter betrayal, he didn’t want to put her to shame with a public divorce. He loved her even when he must have felt crushed by her.
But in God’s mercy, those broken feelings wouldn’t last long.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1: 20-21 ESV
However, even with this reassurance from the Lord (only the first of Joseph’s angel appearances . . . Lucky! . . . or should I say, FAVORED!!) he would know the truth, but that doesn’t mean that anyone other than Mary would believe him.
So despite all the potential slander and ridicule he might receive, accusations of getting Mary pregnant out of wedlock and dishonoring his family . . . Joseph was still obedient to the Lord.
I like the English Standard Version of this passage, because of one teeny, tiny word that Joseph’s angel used that I love oh so much . . .
you
“…and you shall call his name Jesus…“
It draws my thoughts to the privilege of a father naming his own son. Regardless of the lack of matching genetics between father and Son, Joseph claimed Jesus as his own, living in obedience to his own Heavenly Father. Jesus was even referred to as the carpenter’s son. A label that I’m sure sparked a certain fatherly pride and humility in Joseph’s heart every time he heard it.
So if you think about it, isn’t Joseph’s relationship with the Christ Child the perfect example of a Godly step-dad? This particular father-Son relationship is so special to my heart, because the man I married when my oldest son was 5 has lived out our entire marriage under Joseph’s example . . . a loving, self-sacrificing father to my firstborn, his oldest son.
Let’s honor all our godly step-dads this Christmas season! Whether you’re married to one, or you were raised by one, let’s show our guys gratitude and gratefulness for their obedience to the Lord, and their irreplaceable roles in our families!
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Thanks for including me. ~the father in law