“Hey. Are these your friends?” Joseph asked, his tone calm and clear, as he approached the young man on the park bench.
A group of teens were playing pickup basketball at the public park, blasting expletives from their boombox with words inappropriate for young ears… or any ears, really.
“Could you tell them to turn down the music – or play something else? I’ve got my family with me today.”
I overheard his request as I was unpacking snacks for the girls at a nearby picnic table.
The young man glanced at the court, then back at Joseph’s steady gaze, mumbling “Uh. Yeah. Yeah.” before hurrying off to change the song.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Joseph’s presence wasn’t threatening or confrontational, but it was firm. He was standing guard over what mattered most.
As a wife of eleven years and mom of three girls. It’s something I’ve grown to respect with each passing anniversary.
Circumspection: It’s the type of character that doesn’t grow overnight. It’s something I’ve seen since we were dating.
Whether he was coordinating details for our kayak trip or watching the time so we wouldn’t be late to a dinner reservation, carrying a first aid kit or scanning for exits at a restaurant, Joseph has always taken care of those he loves. His strength doesn’t come through big flexes. He’s not a show off. He is the kind of guy who will often let others take the spot light. He isn’t loud. He doesn’t have to be in charge. And yet, he’s not standing back. He’s standing by, ready and waiting, to step in where need be.
This is the posture of a protector. Think about it: police stand by in case a demonstration gets out of control, firefighters are prepped, ready for emergencies. “Standing by” is a posture to be prepared, to be present, to stand firm in our beliefs.
As children of God, we have been called toward this Kingdom posture. We aren’t just “letting life happen”. We are being careful how we live as Ephesians 5:15 says. What we do here and now matters for all of eternity. Eternity doesn’t start when we die. It starts today. And Joseph sees his family and his work as part of his kingdom work in the world.
As my husband, he makes me feel safe. And as nice as that is… safety is more than a feeling. It takes precaution and measured action and preparation. Sometimes that means working out so he is strong enough to protect his kids. Sometimes that means having the boldness to request the music change. But it always means trusting God’s will for our life and for our family.
Ephesians 5:15-18, our theme verse, says, “pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time,[a] because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.“
Instead of the word “careful”, The KJV versions says to “walk circumspectly”.
Mariam Webster defines Circumspection as: “careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : PRUDENT”
Whichever version, it communicates the same message: you care about what matters most.
Joseph certainly does. He is full of care. He recognizes the importance of what he is protecting. And he has lived up to that verse over our eleven years of marriage.
So, Happy Anniversary, Joseph. Thank you for loving me and your girls so well. I know you’re standing by, walking circumspectly, protecting what matters most.
