A Man of Integrity

A Man of Integrity

On September 2, my husband of 27 years celebrates his birthday. He has been a wonderful husband and father who has sacrificed his own wish list for the sake of his family. He would be the first to admit he’s not perfect, but who amongst us is, and yet there are so many qualities about him that I truly admire. If I were to describe what I believe to be his defining character trait, it would be a man of integrity.

My dictionary has three entries for the definition of integrity:

1. Rigid adherence to a code of behavior
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness
3. Completeness; unity

It also considers the word honesty as its synonym. I think this accurately describes my husband. He is a man who has a deep sense of right and wrong and holds firm to those convictions, even when it is unpopular and costly to him. He’s a man who tells the truth, regardless of the possible benefits in stretching the truth or telling a partial truth. He’s trustworthy, he’s dependable and what he says he will do, he will do. Charles Swindoll, in an article entitled “A Battle for Integrity” makes the following statements:

Integrity is completeness or soundness. You have integrity if you complete a job even when no one is looking. You have integrity if you keep your word even when no one checks up on you. You have integrity if you keep your promises. Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy. If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say. What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity....It’s honesty at all costs.....But there are some things integrity is not. It is not sinless perfection. A person with integrity does not live a life absolutely free of sin. No one does. But one with integrity quickly acknowledges his failures and doesn’t hide the wrong.

Proverbs 11:3 makes a statement that I believe to be true about my husband, “The integrity of the upright guides them.” His integrity has been one of the greatest guideposts of his life. He has stuck with his principles and beliefs even when it would have been easier on him to give in. Proverbs 20:7 says, “A righteous man who walks in his integrity--How blessed are his sons after him.” What an honor and privilege to be married to a man who has such depth of character and integrity. What a blessing for our children to have a dad who can be trusted completely, and in this day and age, that is a rare and real treasure. So, Happy Birthday, Dear, and thank you providing such a trustworthy foundation upon which we can continue to grow our relationship and marriage.