The Mysterious Ways of "How I Met Your Mother"

One of my favorite television shows is CBS’s How I Met Your Mother. Each episode continues a story told by a father to his two children, about how he met his future wife and the many pitfalls and pratfalls he and his four close friends encountered along the way.

The show’s goofy and sometimes crass humor isn’t what makes it such a great show—although it does make me laugh. What keeps me coming back is the show's ability to capture those very real moments of insecurity and fear that come with the onset of adulthood. The characters in How I Met Your Mother are in the process of establishing their careers, their romantic relationships and their place in the world. And the show perfectly depicts how adrift one can feel during that tumultuous transition.

This week, it captured something else. A Mysterious Ways.

Two episodes ago, the show threw one character, Marshall, a serious curveball. For a while, Marshall and his wife Lily have been trying to conceive a child, and Marshall has been grappling with doubts about his ability to be a good father. Throughout the show, Marshall and his own father have always been very close, and Marshall wasn’t sure he could be as good as his old man. Then, tragedy struck:

This week’s episode, “Last Words,” dealt with the aftermath. Marshall desperately tried to remember his father’s last words to him, but the only thing he could remember was, “Rent Crocodile Dundee 3.” That provided little comfort. When he realized he had an unchecked voicemail from his father, he was reluctant to listen. Finally, during the funeral service, he snuck outside to listen to the message:

It’s yet another moment How I Met Your Mother got right. One of those inexplicable moments that happens to comfort us just when we need it. A pocket dial, an accidental call, that ends up being a touching goodbye from a father to a son. It reminds me of Linda Poston's story, and Joyce Noto's story as well.

Marshall’s experience spurs the other characters to call their dads, and in one character’s case, finally decide to seek out the father he never knew.

We can’t always know what our last words to someone will be. “Last Words” reminded me to make sure I say the things that are important to those I love.

Congratulations to Crystal Newton, winner of last week’s giveaway, the 2010 edition of His Mysterious Ways. I have no more items left to give away, but you can purchase the 2011 One-Minute Devotions Page-a-Day Calendar and the 2010 His Mysterious Ways book on our website, shopguideposts.com. As a non-profit, every item we sell aids our outreach efforts to provide inspiration and comfort to people in need around the world.

Have you had a moment like Marshall's? Did his moment remind you of one of your own? Leave a comment below or email us at mw@guideposts.com.