He was a carpenter by trade. His hands were most likely rough from chiseling away at a piece of wood all day, but they were also strong from handling that same wood for hours. In his time, a carpenter would have been considered an artist, because there was a shortage of skilled craftsmen. Being married to an artist who often works with wood, I know what it takes to create something out of a hunk of nothing. It takes hours of dedication and hard work.
Joseph wasn’t afraid of working hard. He probably had been doing it since he was a boy himself. Things undoubtedly were going well for him. He was engaged to a young woman; he had a trade; he was a man on the move. Life was good. Then something happened that would change his life forever. The angel of the Lord appeared to this average “Joe” with an announcement that would change the course of history. Like Mary, he accepted what the angel told him with a heart of faith even though the whole idea was incomprehensible to him. There are so many times in our lives that we feel secure and then something happens to completely throw us off guard. I pray that I could have even an ounce of the faith that Mary and Joseph displayed when being confronted with such shocking news.
God, give me strength in the knowledge that you control my life and thus give me peace because I know you are the best one to be in charge, Build my faith every day so when I meet you face to face I willl know that you were there with me every step of my earthly journey.
atimetoshare.me 
This is beautiful! We were are talking about this in Sunday school!
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My wife used to do rubber stamps and we had your picture in rubber stamp form. It was a hard stamp to use and we never got the technique down. It still love that picture though.
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Been on the road for a while, so haven’t had the opportunity to read many, if any, posts before today. Some actually believe he was a stone mason because of the lack of wood in the area. A carpenter (literal craftsman) worked with his hands, whether in wood, metal, or stone.
New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Mt 13:55–56.
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Interesting fact. Thank Don!
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Kathy, thank you for reminding us that God DOES and can STILL use the average, “Joe”. I long for faith such as theirs, too. I spoke your prayer to God. Thank you for being a light for Christ. Sending love and prayers each day, Mama K. 💕🙏🏻Karla
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Amen! These words of prayer brought me closer, through my faith, to the Lord. Blessings to you Kathy as well as to Paul.
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Thank youm Richard. Your kind words always encourage me.
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