This evening, I want to write about good men and why they are amazing. Men, each of you is as unique as your fingerprint. But still there are things you were given as a man that enable you to show us a unique part of God's character. Each quality below will show up in you differently than it will in someone else, which is what makes it so delightful! You are powerful, and I hope you find this post encouraging!
Here are my 6 favorite things about men:
1. How they offer their strength: One day I was moving some boxes with a friend of mine. They were fairly heavy, so I would pick up one at a time and lug it to its new location. My friend, on the other hand, picked up two or more without even batting an eyelash. Fascinating. And this isn't about being big and muscular. Strength even comes in the form of my 11 year old nephew on the go-cart track, telling me that he made sure my cousin didn't cut me off. "I didn't want him doing that to my aunt!" he said. Strength can be physical, intellectual, emotional, etc. It's something with which all men were endowed, and I appreciate when they offer it on someone else's behalf.
2. Protectiveness: I love the desire to cover and protect. This always makes me think of my sweet brother when we were teenagers, how he had an eye to protect my heart even when I didn't. I remember one day in high school, we went to the movies with some friends. We were standing in line, and behind us was a guy leering at me in a most sleazy way. Scott, notably irritated, stepped between me and the guy so the guy couldn't look at me. It was cool, because I actually didn't notice what was happening at first. But of course, big brother was watching. I felt so honored.
3. Leadership: I appreciate the way men are honored to take up a cause as their own, and to drive it to completion. When I was in college, I was walking home to my dorm one evening. We'd had a Duke basketball game that night, and I had a splitting headache afterwards. But it was late, and I needed to get home. My friend was walking with me, and he saw the bus I needed to take at the bus stop. I didn't feel like running, and I was fine letting myself miss the bus even though they came sparsely. My friend, really wanting me to get home and rest, started speed walking, encouraging me to keep up with him. Indeed, I caught the bus thanks to him.
4. Gentleness: Isn't there something beautiful about a big, strong man holding a tiny baby? It speaks something profound. They could totally use their strength to overpower, but instead they choose to give gentleness. There's a song called Man of No Reputation, which illustrates this in Jesus' own life. It says of Him, "He could stop the rising storm with a gesture of His hand. But He chose to use His hands to heal." It's not very impressive or reassuring for someone weak to be gentle, as we assume that it stems from inability to be otherwise. But when someone is strong yet gentle, it shows an intentional kindness on their part. That moves my heart.
5.Clothes: I like men's clothes. On men, not on me. 😃 Men's clothes are kinda like men themselves. They aren't cuddly soft like women's clothes, but they are still touchable. Touchable yet strong.
6. Presence: There's something comforting about a man's presence, especially in the face of an uncertain or dangerous situation. Late night a few weeks ago, I was getting out of the car to check my tire pressure at the gas station when a group of guys entering the mini mart sent my radar up. I didn't like the way they were looking at me or my car, like they were casing me. But since I was out there and they were inside, I didn't make a big deal. But when one of them came back outside and stood by my car, I went back inside. When he left, I returned. Another guy who had been there for some time came over and asked if I was okay. I told him what happened, and he offered to stick around until I was done with my tires. It made a huge difference to me!
Dear gentlemen who are reading this, I hope you find this encouraging! Your love and kindness doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated, and we need you in this world. Don't ever allow ungrateful people to steal your goodness, because the world doesn't thrive without people like you. I'll leave you with a beautiful quote I heard in a song (A Few Good Men by Rich Mullins). It's a good answer to anyone who thinks nice guys finish last:
"But you say that a man like that wouldn't last in a world like this. Well, I believe that the world won't last if a man like that don't exist!"
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