F is for a Faithful man, who can find?

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

Prov. 20:6

They are so rare we hardly recognize them. Or perhaps they’re not so rare, it’s just that they are quiet. Perhaps you sit across the table from one? Here’s a little glimpse of one, you might see something you recognize…

• He wakes early to spend time with God, fills his well so he can water his wife.
• He puts the water onto boil every morning for oatmeal.
• He gives the kids his oatmeal when they’ve eaten theirs and ask for more.
• He brings the pot of coffee over, gives me the last bit.
• He reminds me that I’m beautiful when I’m certain I am not.
• He builds the fort and even crawls inside.
• He eats the leftovers — again — without complaining.
• He takes the car for the tune-up and adds, ‘I’ll take the kids with me.”
• He (with other steady man) rototills the ground for hours, sweating and hunched over stubborn soil, so friend and I can enjoy a garden.
• He climbs in the car, exhausted, and declares, “That was fun!”
• He changes diapers. Hundreds.
• He gets up in the middle of the night for newborn cries. After the feeding he walks, the “baby dance,” his voice soothing fussy baby to sleep.
• He washes windows, takes out trash.
• He speaks kindly of others, believes the best.
• He promotes me to no end, my primary cheerleader, encourager. My agent and web-designer. Only happy when he’s convinced my God-given gifts are used.
• He loves his mom.
• He never hurries people.
• He listens. Really listens.
• He rubs my feet.
• He thinks deep and loves even deeper.
• He grows.
• He works hard to be healthy, make himself handsome and fit for me.
• He’s willing to try whatever odd health-food concoction I’ve dreamt up now.
• He never makes fun.
• He never criticizes.
• He never tears down.
• He disciplines himself to be positive.
• He lets himself relax.
• He never compares me.
• He takes baby daughter on a date. She comes home with ice cream mustache and smile on her face.
• He evokes happy squeals when he walks in the door from work.
• He makes me smile.
• He tries to be tidy because he knows it makes me happy.
• He honors my parents.
• He parks outside so I can have the garage.
• He gives me his Gold Card Starbucks rewards … every single one.
• He sold his Jeep Wrangler for a family car.
• He plays Scrabble, because he loves to watch me win.
• He always thinks to wait.
• He’s wise.
• He’s an insanely generous tipper. Way more generous than I!
• He takes the middle and gives me the aisle.
• He’s the computer fix-it man for every person I know.
• He never complains.
• He believes in others and truly desires their best.
• He subscribes to (and reads) Ann Voskamp’s blog (!).

And…

He’s here. The mark of a faithful man is a man who’s here. Everywhere he is, he is there. Not absent, but present.

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

By God’s grace I found one. And today is his birthday, and it is my joy to celebrate his life. Perhaps you’d like to drop him a quick line here, and wish him happy birthday? And perhaps you know a faithful man … perhaps today you could tell him what you appreciate so much? Or, perhaps leave a comment and tell us what a faithful man does: He… the more we describe these blessed faithful men, the easier it is to recognize and appreciate them in our lives.

Thanks for reading, and have a happy Friday.