FATHER ~

My father was a devout man and an excellent father.

He was patient, strong, caring, and intelligent.

He was far more open and loving of his family than most men are, giving my siblings and me an excellent example of a loving male role model.

I am lucky, but because of how perfect my father was, I felt I had giant shoes to fill when I had children.

I delayed having children due to my feelings of inadequacy because I genuinely thought that I could never live up to the high level that my father had set.

Regardless of whether or not I am as “good” a father as he was, my father did not raise his family well for competitive reasons.

Once I learned that I had a blueprint for raising a family right, my insecurities faded.

In Joshua’s case, Moses had just led the Israelites out of Egypt through the desert and was revered by everyone.

A massive void in the Israelite community was created with Moses’ passing.

Someone needed to fill it, but who would want to follow the most important Israelite that had ever lived?

The pressure and feelings of inadequacy would be almost impossible to overcome alone. Luckily for Joshua, God steps in, showing him the same level of intimacy, care, and guidance that He had shown Moses.

God promises not to fail Joshua, as He did with Moses.

All Joshua needs to do is be strong and courageous.

The shoe size doesn’t matter; what matters is that Moses sets an excellent example of how to lead.

Like my father, they didn’t leave gigantic shoes to fill; they gave us a map we could follow to lead effectively.

🫂Amen