The Leader of the Band

Yesterday I was driving back from San Antonio with my wife after visiting my dad and stepmom. (Can I tell you that I hate that word stepmom? She is the sweetest lady and that word does not even come close to describe her.) Anyway, as I was driving, we had my IPod playing the Best of Dan Fogelberg. One of my favorite songs is “The Leader of the Band”. It pays homage to his father as he is now getting up in age. I find myself also reflecting on the life of my own father.

I have been blessed beyond words as my father has been a dad in every sense of the word. My dad was born in Puerto Rico and came to the US via the Korean War. While serving over there, he was one of the few of his platoon to survive a “big push”. He was severely wounded and sent to Brook Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He spent the next year and a half in the hospital. It was there that he met a missionary and fell in love. My dad married my mom way before I was twinkle in their eyes.

My mom was a staunch Southern Baptist; my dad was a Disciples of Christ. You can guess who won that denominational battle. My dad enrolled in a Hispanic Southern Baptist seminary in San Antonio. After seminary, my dad went onto pastor several small Spanish speaking congregations throughout Texas.

Dad’s health due to his war injuries and others, allowed him the opportunity to finally get his 100% disability and retire. I was a sophomore in high school at the time. At the same time my mom’s health declined leaving her mostly bedridden. My dad waited on my mom hand and foot until the day the Lord took her into glory.

A couple of years later he marries a lady from Puerto Rico, named Carmen. Carmen as I said earlier is a fantastic woman. In early 1990, she suffered a major stroke leaving her with physical and speech limitations. Again, my dad dotes on her. They make the cutest couple. That’s what I want, if the Lord allows me to reach 83 years.

As I listened to the song I couldn’t help but thinking of my own dad. The part that always gets me tearing up is the last part of the song as follows:

I thank you for the music

And your stories of the road

I thank you for the freedom

When it came my time to go --

I thank you for the kindness

And the times when you got tough

And, Papa, I don’t think I said

I love you near enough --

The leader of the band is tired

And his eyes are growing old

But his blood runs through my instrument

And his song is in my soul --

My life has been a poor attempt

To imitate the man

I’m just a living legacy

To the leader of the band

I am the living legacy

To the leader of the band.

My dad is living a great legacy and I try to tell him I love him so much. I am proud of my dad. My favorite time of my visits to see Dad is when I’m leaving. You see my dad will stand in front of the house and wave; and keep waving until we turn the corner and are out of sight. I know one day he will not be there to wave and so I cherish each and every wave. Isn’t that silly?

God bless you and I hope you a great and happy Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

Knight in Shining Armour

We all grew up hearing the fairy tales that start out with the words, “Once upon a time…” When you heard those words, you knew a good story was coming and your ears would perk up. There was a sense of security in that no matter what happened in the story, it would end up with, “…and they lived happily ever after.”

Most girls liked to hear the one of Prince Charming. The Princess would go thru all this turmoil, but in the end her prince, riding on a white horse, came to save the day. Most women still believe in that fairy tale. She wants her husband to take care of things. She wants her Prince Charming. Studies show that the number one need a woman has is security.

Security comes in several ways. One way is thru physical safety. She needs to feel that if she was confronted with a physical threat; her man would step in and take care of business. This doesn’t mean you get into a physical altercation to prove your manhood, but she needs to know you would if it came down to it. The Bible is very clear about this. In Ephesians, Paul tells us, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25)

Men, this means if need be, you must be willing to lay down your life for your wife and family. God has wired us to be protectors. Several months ago, my wife and I went to dinner with another couple. After dinner, the wife told me in passing of what had happened to her earlier that evening. She said while opening her car door, she accidently bumped the car parked next to them. The man happened to be in the car and he jumped out and proceeded to berate her. Her husband just walked away. My mouth just dropped open. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I pulled the husband over to the side and explained to him how different that scenario would have been if that would have happened to my wife and me. My Latin blood would have started to boil.

Does your wife feel secure? Does your wife see you as her knight in shining armor? My prayer is that you will understand your role as protector.

Blessings!