Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Measure of a Man

I'm working on a project in Chicago this week.  I was talking to a writer for the Chicago Tribune this afternoon about our opinions on how popular culture portrays men in sitcoms and adult animated TV like The Simpson's and Family Guy.  As we were talking I was reminded of a radio ad for a local brokerage firm.  This firm always uses some very creative anecdotes to relate real life events to financial investments.  One thing that stands out in my memory is a quote that is stated in a particular radio ad - "The measure of a man is not how he conducts himself when times are good - but how he conducts himself in adversity".  I submit to you that Homer Simpson or Peter from Family Guy are not stalwart role models of how to measure a man.  

On the other hand - who is?  As men who are in the trenches, fighting the everyday battles of marriages and parenthood, who are the generals that we look to for direction?  I know a few.  You can look back in the blog and see descriptions of one or two.  Yet, for you, maybe there aren't any.  Maybe the man you once looked to as a role model has let you down.  Or, in my case, one of my role models passed away.  If you feel like you're in this by yourself and there isn't anyone to help you find your way through the trees, I encourage you join our Yahoo Group.  There's a button on the right that will take you there.  There are some good men plugged in that can give you some solid advice for the difficulties you face.  And if you're one of those guys with a few decades of time in your marriage, I'd like to invite you to join as well.  

It's important that we help each other.  No man can go it alone and succeed in relationships - whether in marriage or in parenting.  A husband or father floundering in adversity is in a dangerous place.  There is strength and support in the collective nature of a group of Christian men.  We can't take the adversity away, but we can help a man steer between the land mines and get to the other side on solid ground.  

Thanks for stopping by.

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