As water reflects a man's face, so a man's heart reflects the man.
Proverbs 27:19, NIV

This past Sunday my daughters gave me two wonderful gifts for Father's Day.  The first was a photo album of pictures that date back to the time when they were both born.  Wow!  It is hard to believe that my oldest will be 17 and my youngest 14 in the fall.  Life surely races by! The second gift they gave me was a two page list entitled "Dad Says," expressions that I (apparently) say quite frequently.  A few of my favorites included:

        "Don't ask me, ask your mother."
        "Don't worry, it's only blood."
        "Stop crying or I am going to give you something to cry about."
        "C'mon! It'll be fun!"
        "I don't care what everybody else is doing."  And my personal favorite,
        "Lane like a street, Glaze like a doughnut." 

My daughters know me too well, and the older they get the better they know how to put me in my place.  This second gift reminded me of several "gifts" that my two brothers and I have given my father over the years.  Brings to mind another one of my sayings, "What comes around goes around."

Speaking of my father, the Lord has blessed me with a good one.  He has always been there for me, and he continues to be a friend and mentor.  Knowing so many other folks who have had to say "goodbye" to their fathers, I am grateful that my father continues to play such an important role in my life.  It is one of those rich blessings of life that is beyond any quantitative measurement.

The Lord has also blessed me with many other fathers as well.  Some were coaches, others have been teachers, professors or pastors.  Growing up in Charleston, I was privileged to be surrounded by so many godly men that taught me so much about what it means to be a "real" man.  These "real" men also exhibited a very "real" faith - they were never shy about sharing what was on their hearts, how they had chosen to order their lives.  Over the last few years I have cherished the chance to spend some time with some of these men as we worked side by side in the recovery efforts on the Gulf Coast.  It was during those recent times together that I realized how unusual my life experience has been.  While so many children and youth today do not have even one strong male role model in their life, I was blessed with more than a dozen during my most formative years.  Like my father, many of these same men continue to play a substantive role in my life today.

And what have these Real Men with Real Faith taught me over the years?  This past Sunday I spent a good part of my day reflecting on the contributions that so many men have made in my life. I jotted down the lessons that I have learned.

A godly man works hard to provide for his family, and he also gives generously to those in need.
A godly man is faithful and true to his vows and promises, especially when the going gets tough.
A godly man is a man of his word and seeks to speak plainly, truthfully and directly.
A godly man loves his children's mother.
A godly man is there for his children when they need him the most.
A godly man teaches his children many things, including morals, values and beliefs.
A godly man knows have to have fun - responsibly.
A godly man knows not to take himself too seriously.
A godly man is not afraid to cry.
A godly man keeps his anger and temper in check and seeks forgiveness when he fails to do so.
A godly man is the same man when he is at work, at home, in church, on the golf course or in the deer stand.
A godly man honors his parents, especially during their golden years.
A godly man serves daily his community, church and world.
A godly man realizes that he exhibits the most strength when he exhibits the greatest dependence on God.
A godly man shares his faith openly, honestly and graciously.

Proverbs reminds us that the heart of a man tells the true story of who that man is.  Jesus said that our hearts are in those things that we treasure the most.  I thank God for all the men in my life who, while not perfect, have taught me to treasure the things that are eternal in nature.  Worshiping and praying regularly.  Cherishing my spouse.  Working not only hard but with ethics.  Treating my children as the gifts from God that they are.  Taking care of the elderly.  Living sacrificially.  Knowing when to buckle down - but also when to laugh.

Let us all give thanks for the godly men in our lives.

Grateful for my many earthly fathers,
lane

Rev. C. Lane Glaze
Director - Clemson Wesley Foundation
Campus Minister - Clemson UMC
PO Box 1703 Clemson SC 29633
864-207-9135 (c) or 864-654-5547 (o)

Feel free to forward this email to a friend. The Clemson Wesley Weekly Devotional is a ministry of Rev. Lane Glaze and the Clemson Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Church's ministry to students on the campus of Clemson University.  The purpose of this email is to look at issues relevant to the life of Clemson students through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you would like your name added to this list, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu