My Joseph

This is my Joseph...

brought to me by Jesus Himself.
Today as I sat before the Lord in Adoration, I felt a stirring in my soul from my Advent reading.  The reflection to ponder talked about simple prayers, even like the opening prayer of Mass today: "Father, we need your help!"   I thought about how often I have prayed a similar prayer in my own life, sometimes daily but especially in time of trouble.  The reflection went on to talk about even Mary needing God's help. I would never have thought about Mary needing help, would you?  Though her unborn child was God within her, she needed the help of St. Joseph.  God provided Mary this great gift.  The point in the reading was that God always provides, even on the toughest of journeys.  The gift of St. Joseph ensured that Mary was not alone;  She was given St. Joseph, just and loyal who stayed close to her, protecting her on their journey.  Surely Mary sang praise to God for St. Joseph!  The stirring in my soul connected to that, a long with the many times that God provided for me in my life, including the gift of my own Joseph in time of need.  Though I'm certainly NO Mary, I do long to be like her in some small way, even if it's just singing praise for my Joseph.  I am witness to God transforming tragedy and sorrow into the richest blessings, including the gift of my Joseph.  I couldn't help but think of my Joseph today, so faithful, strong, and loving.  Like St. Joseph, he stood with me though my first born son was not his biological child.  How kind and gentle he was to make this child his own.  I did not need a new husband to take away the pain from the heat of the refiner's fire, but I did need a Joseph to fulfill God's plan of conversion and hope.  Dear Joseph still stands with me today through all of our brokenness and imperfections, guiding us to the promise of eternal life.  Words of wisdom from my Joseph: "The road to Bethlehem wasn't easy so neither should our own journey be easy."  His words were the perfect tie in to my reflection!  I'm singing praise to God for my Joseph and his words of wisdom.  He may not be a saint but he's pure love to me, surely a gift from God!  Whether our road be bumpy or full of potholes, I pray that we always keep a song of hope in our hearts.  I know God waits for us still today and desires to shower us with blessings through all of our apparent misfortunes and trials. Especially during this first week of Advent, I am looking forward with hope and great expectation to what lies ahead.  May we always remember that the road to Bethlehem wasn't easy but God still arrived.