A Good Man

One evening, many years ago (I could give you lots more specifics - I do remember them - but I won't bore you with details), I heard a word used to describe my dad. It was mentioned in passing, and only really intended to describe the task he was performing at that time, but it has stuck with me over the years. Recently I was thinking some more about this incident, and it occurred to me that this trait or quality is one that I want to develop in my life. The more I have thought about it, the more I have come to realize that this one word effectively describes most aspects of my dad's life and character. The word is "consistent".

Consistent and its close relative constant are words that I feel describe an ideal that is worth striving for. The man who is consistent in his dealings with others is a man who can be trusted. The man who is constant in holding himself to a high standard is a man who can be respected. The man who is consistent in practicing what he preaches is a man worth listening to. Consistency and constancy are godlike qualities - He is the ultimate example of one who is worth listening to always, can be respected - even reverenced, and can be trusted completely. The man who consistently lives a life consistent with righteous principles is a man I believe truly deserves to be called a good man.

I am very grateful to be the son of a good man. Unfortunately sometimes we overlook or take for granted the people that are the closest to us, and I am afraid that I have been guilty of that at times. I have, in my father, a man that I trust, a man that I respect, and a man that I should listen to. It took a gentle reprimand from a good friend to help me realize/remember those facts. I hope this time around that I don't ever forget them. Because, one of the great things about good men is that their influence is ongoing. I can look back at my ancestry and see a long line of good men. I look around me at my brothers and see the same. My hope, my goal, is that I can find my place and fit myself into this great line of good men, and pass on this influence to those who may come after.