What I Have Learned About Joseph, Step-dad of Jesus:

1. Joseph has taught me honor and respect.
Joseph had every right to leave Mary. In fact, he felt he had to considering she was pregnant with another man's child. I don't even think Mary would have argued with him. However, he was going to do it privately. So that no one would shame Mary. Even though he felt she had betrayed him, he still loved and cared for her. If someone betrayed you, would you still turn the other cheek? Would you continue to give to them? Or would you want everyone to know what he or she did to you? Well, most people out of hurt and embarrassment would want revenge. Joseph taught me there was another way. God's way. We don't always know why things happen, why people hurt us, but we need to trust God. God is the only one that can heal and restore.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
— Matthew 1:19

2. Joseph has taught me about trust, faith and obedience.
Wow, Joseph had to really trust God. An angel came to him in a dream. A dream. I don't know about you guys, but I would have wanted a second opinion. So what kind of faith do you think Joseph had to have to accept a message in a dream? Not just any message but one that would affect his entire life. Did Joseph talk it over with his friends, his parents, his siblings or Mary? No, he just obeyed. Folks, only a person who has a deep relationship with God could have been willing to do what God asked him to do without question. Joseph had a deep faith, a deep conviction and a deep relationship with God. Joseph taught me that in order for me to have peace about the things that God wants me to do, I have to deepen my relationship with Him. It is only through that relationship that I will understand God. Understanding produces trust and trust produces action.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
— Matthew 1:20

3. Joseph has taught me about sacrifice and letting go.
When Joseph married Mary, he sacrificed what He wanted for the sake of Christ. His firstborn would not be his son. He would have to keep the secret of who Jesus was, even when it was time for his consecration, a presentation to God (a custom of that time when each family would offer their firstborn son to God). And ultimately, he would have to be willing to let Christ go when it was time. This time would come quicker than he was prepared for when Jesus went missing after a yearly trip to Jerusalem. Jesus would state "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?