Be A Man

Recently, there was an internet post that listed fourteen things a man should be able to do. These included drive a stick shift, fix a toilet, change the oil in a car, handle a roadside emergency, and build a fire. Okay, I'll agree that most adults, regardless of whether or not they possess a "Y" chromosome, should probably be able to handle these.

Other necessary abilities listed were hook up an entertainment center (not me, I'd strangle myself on all those cables), dress for the occasion (my ability to do this is a subtle source of disagreement between my wife and me), swim the breaststroke (yes, I can, but only under duress; that's why there are life preservers), and cook the perfect steak (nice to know but not a deal-breaker in my eyes).

After a bit of thought, I began to think about the ideals I'd set for someone entering manhood. I don't think I ever communicated these to my sons in so many words, but I hope I modeled them, just as my father did for me. The important things include loving your family and being there for them (even if it means changing your plans), letting your word be your bond (an old-fashioned idea, apparently, but still a good one), keeping your cool in a stressful situation (okay, we've all failed here, but we still need to try), and above all, letting your actions--not just your words--reflect and model your faith in God. There are others, but this seems like a pretty good start.

While you think about these, I guess I'll take a whack at "navigating a map and using a GPS," one area of the man-test where I need a little remedial work.