When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. MATTHEW 1:24 (NLT)

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My first ‘coon hunt, and last, happened one cold evening when I was in high school. A buddy of mine and I had heard Jerry Clower talk about that particular kind of adventure in a rather humorous manner, and we decided we would get in on the fun. My friend knew a man who had some bluetick hounds and soon we made plans to head into the woods.

The next thing you know, four of us were crammed into the cab of a flatbed truck with the hounds kenneled in the back. Long story short, we did not find any raccoons that night. It was a dry year and the dogs couldn’t pick up a scent. We tromped around in the dark and the cold well past when I was ready to go home.

The two men my buddy and I were with were only somewhat acquainted. They did what people do when they first get to know each other. They discussed who they knew in common. Every time they talked about someone each of them knew, they would end that part of the conversation by saying, “He’s a good ol’ boy.”

Depending on what circle you find yourself standing in these days, Good Ol’ Boy is either a term of endearment or an insult. On that night all those years ago, it was most assuredly the former. In fact, if you were not a good ol’ boy, well, the good ol’ boys did not want to have anything to do with you.

Consider Matthew 1:18-25. Those two men that night would have definitely considered Joseph a good ol’ boy. He was quiet, thoughtful, and took care of business the right way (verse 19). He made hard decisions with care for all concerned.

He was not afraid to do the right thing the right way in the right timing. He knew it would lead to the right result (verses 20-24). He knew some would think unkindly of him. He knew he would lose standing with many. He knew there would be rumors and accusations. He did the right thing anyway.

Yes, Joseph was a good ol’ boy, the good kind, not the political kind.

Joseph the carpenter was physically strong. He was also strong of heart and mind, and most importantly, character. Joseph did not have to tell anyone how strong he was. He did not have to speak his piece. Instead, he held his peace. Soon enough, he would hold the Prince of Peace.

Can you imagine those calloused hands so accustomed to bending wood to his will holding a squirming baby soft and pliant and nearly boneless? Can you imagine this strong man, this good ol’ boy, cradling that gentle stranger who so completely redirected his life?

Thank God for good ol’ boys. Thank God for quiet strength. Thank God for those who do the right thing the right way for the right reason in the right timing no matter what anyone else may think, say, or do.

Thank God for Joseph.

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I will live more like Joseph.

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Our Father, in all the events around the coming of Jesus, people come and go and say the most amazing things. They have stories to tell. They have words of prophecy. They bring gifts. A mother collects all these memories and repeatedly returns to them. One man is there, almost always in the background, doing the right thing no matter how hard, no matter how inconvenient. Yet this good man spoke volumes about how to honor you and serve others. Make me more like Joseph. Amen.