The Importance of Good Men

I’ve been thinking lately about the importance of good men. I think our world needs them desperately. OF COURSE we need good, strong women too. But for today I want to concentrate on how men can make such a difference in the world! Especially in the lives of this rising younger generation of boys.

I have already talked about my new favorite book that’s been on my mind so much: The Anxious Generation. Oh boy, everyone needs to read that book. I’ve been thinking about the section that talks about the importance of re-engaging boys. It talks about how boys and young men’s success has been steadily declining since the 1970s. The author has several theories about this including disengagement from the real world and such luring enticement into the virtual world. It talks about how the male share of teachers in the United States is declining and how there is solid evidence that boys to so much better with a male mentor of some sort. (Shout out to my brother Josh who is the best third grade teacher in the whole wide world, and I’m sure makes such a difference in the lives of the boys he teaches!)

With this on my mind, two things happened lately that made me so grateful for the male leaders in our church. Oh sometimes they get a kind of bad wrap and I am all for more roles for women. But do we forget how lucky we are to have men so willing to give up so much to lead and guide our youth? So many thoughts on all that but again, today let’s stick with these two thoughts:

An Activity at our House

Dave is one of the leaders for the 14-15 year old boys in our church congregation. A few weeks back he and the other leaders put together an activity to bake cookies for the families the boys minister to and deliver them. I thought it was such a great idea, and although the cookies themselves were quite a flop (ha!) there was something churning in my heart observing their work that night.

With remnants of that chapter of re-engaging boys from The Anxious Generation on my mind, I just felt SO grateful for those men who took time out of work or possibly just having a minute to catch their breath to be present with goofy teenage boys. I was able to observe the care and teaching involved. The joking and the building-up of these kids.

Their service to teach the boys how to be of more service to others.

And how to bake cookies. Sure, those cookies didn’t turn out too well, but that wasn’t the point. The point was being present, together. Learning from each other. Having real-life conversations rather than looking at screens.

And I just felt so incredibly grateful. For what those boys are teaching those men as well as what the gift the men are giving them by being their leaders.

A Talk with our Kids

Over Labor Day weekend all our kids were home (aside from Claire who we missed desperately). One night we got into a discussion about gender equality or lack thereof and it brought up more of my thoughts of gratitude for men. Sure, women could use and could certainly handle bigger roles in the church, in the workforce, etc. Oh I agree with all of that. But do we sometimes take it for granted that there are men willing to lead of their own free will and choice. To take time from their own wants and desires and spend time working to build and help and teach the youth? I just think it’s such a beautiful thing. And just wanted to share it.

Sending out love this Wednesday morning!!