Presiding Presence

 

The principle of the power of the priesthood to preside in our homes was molded differently in my mind these past few weeks.  

Matthew (ALL too similar to his father) got a bee in his bonnet to build a new rabbit hutch.  The idea had taken root and he was 100% determined to see to it.  All on his own, he found a set of hutch plans, mapped needed supplies, and commenced building.  99% completed, there arose one sticky impasse.  A question regarding tar paper under the shingles.  Unsettled about how to proceed, Matthew came inside to seek the presiding presence of his father.  He knew successful completion would come with the help of his dad.  He sought counsel, a decision was made, and the project seamlessly found itself coming to completion.

 

Not many days after, while tube feeding Jonathan, I listened in on the conversation between he and Adam. Adam was writing out his very first check from his personal checking account.  Asking his Dad who to make it out to, how to write it properly, the amount to make it out for, how to send it in, I realized Jonathan was helping Adam fund his first investment account.  Following his father's counsel, Adam had been reading about investing, worked like a slave to acquire a little nest egg, and was ready to invest his hard work.  Jonathan, using only the subtle movement of his eyes, was coaching his son toward manhood.

And now to pre-teen testosterone, Andrew.  A bit sassy and Corona virus cooped up, Andrew was summoned to practice the piano.  Jonathan was a silent observer to Andrew's pitiful attempt at practicing.  He put his foot down, (mind you with just the motion of his eyes) called Andrew out on his lack of effort, and added additional practice time.  A typical pre-teen snappy brawl began.  Jonathan with nothing but his eyes to hen-peck a message vs. the 11 year old with hair beginning to find its way onto his upper lip.  It got heated, it got ugly, and unruly Andrew found himself grounded for the next week.  Oh, the injustice!  Oh, the howling!  Oh, the pain of being born into the WORST family on earth!  But, with only subtle eye movement, the punishment had been set.  A few days passed and spite turned to recognition of wrong and then acceptance.  While the rest of the family was off playing with friends, Andrew found himself bored at home, which led to baking chocolate chip cookies, keeping watch over his Dad's ventilator, suctioning when needed, and catching a few episodes of "Monk" along side the man in the wheelchair. 

Nearing the end of his week long grounding, Jonathan called Andrew to his computer screen.  He knew Andrew was preparing to complete the cycling merit badge and had 60 and 100 mile rides planned with nothing more than a dilapidated, bicycle shaped chunk of metal to get it done.  Knowing this, Jonathan had picked out a really nice bicycle for Andrew on his computer and simply asked him which color he wanted.  Andrew, shocked that he was getting a new bike, was a bit speechless.  He picked out a color and then was quiet.  He came and sat next to me on the couch and asked, "Mom, why is Dad buying me a bike?"  I explained to him that his Dad loved him.  I said, "Andrew, Dad wants you to become a man.  He knows how badly you want to complete the cycling merit badge and he wants nothing more than to see you be successful.  He wants to give you every tool he can so you can succeed.  That is the same reason he grounded you.  Because he loves you.  He knows the potential that lies within you and he wants you to become the man God intended you to be.  He grounded you, because he loves you.  He bought you a bike, because he loves you.  He wants you to become something more than you already are.  He's giving you the tools to become it."

It was his seemingly simple, mundane interactions with my three sons that bore witness of the power of the priesthood in our lives. This is a man that with almost nothing physically left intact chooses to magnify his priesthood.  A man that bears his witness every single day of the power of a father to preside, even if it looks like nothing more than the subtle movement of his eyes.  This is a man that sacrifices greatly and endures much. This is a man that without complaint does everything in his power to build up the kingdom of God in his very own home.  This is a man that recognizes the calling of father can be magnified regardless of how little it appears one can give.  This is a man that continues to be blessed with a presence to preside.