Honor Honorable Men on Father's Day

He served faithfully at his job at a daily newspaper for over forty years, yet he always wished he had attended college. It would have given him a wider vista of opportunities. He was a word-smith, a poet, who labored for hours over the wording of one line. He read his finished prose with misty eyes.
He was also a father of two children who have loved him all their lives. A loyal leader in his local church, his faith was strong, his knowledge sound, his wisdom deep. He never was the first to speak, but he was often the last, for his words resonated with truth, vision and clarity. We all agreed with him.
Above all, Byron was an honorable man. This is what sets him apart, even today. I have imagined him as an English teacher, or a philosopher at a university. His words and wisdom suggested such a course. Life in the times in which he was raised, did not offer that fork in the road. He accepted the responsibility of his family, provided for them, guided them, instilled faith in them, and blessed his church and community with a wisdom we would not have had if he was sequestered in the hallowed halls of academia.
The enduring trait that pulls all his achievements together was his honor:  his personal integrity, his dedicated witness of Christ, and his life lived as a father.
Psalm 112 in its entirety describes him, but the first three verses speak to all men as Father's Day approaches:  Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.  (Psalm 112:1-3)
What a wonderful epitaph for a man of honor! This is the foundation of fatherhood that God has laid out in his Word. He do well to fear the Lord and delight in his commands. The resulting righteousness from Christ endures forever and manifests itself in the blessings of his life -- a godly wife of noble character, children who reflect the glory of the Lord, and wealth beyond measure. (My friend would chuckle about the wealth.)
The Bible clearly shows a direct correlation between a life of honor as a man, as a father, and the results of such a life. Fear the Lord, men. Humble yourself before him. Delight in his commands and live in and through his Word. Let the righteousness of Christ dwell in you as he completes his work in you. It is the best gift you can give your children and why they honor you on Father's day.
Reach for encouragement. To his glory.