happy Easter, dear ones!
i hope you are enjoying your Easter Sunday, spending time with family, eating to your heart's content, and reflecting on the miracle of Jesus' resurrection. i also hope that you are not forced to come into contact with any Easter bunny costumes. because they are terrifying and quite haunting if we are being honest. i went to Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland in Greystones today and while it was lovely, i quite missed getting to celebrate with my family at home in the States.
i was sent an Easter e-mail from my father this morning that had a breathtaking article attached. i think this article (written by a mother, intended for her son) needs to be heard. i have included an excerpt, but i highly recommend reading it in its entirety on Ann Voskamp's blog A Holy Experience.
"Real Manhood means you don’t get drunk, and a man can get drunk on a lot more than alcohol.
Men drunk on power, on control, on ego, lose more than all inhibition — they lose The Way, their own souls. Men drunk on anything can destroy everything and real manhood thirsts for righteousness.
Real Manhood means peer pressure only makes you stronger in Christ.Real Manhood means you take responsibility for your body.A woman’s immodesty is never an excuse for a man’s irresponsibility. Responsible men — are response-able. This is your job. A woman has her’s. Focus on yours. Real Men don’t focus responsibility on women staying “pure” but on men not pressuring. (Truth is, none of us are pure, Son, and the onus is on you, Son, to pursue holiness.)Your Dad and I need you to know:Real Men never pressure but treasure. No one tries to crush a diamond.Because pressuring a girl? Is blackmail, coercion and repeated robbery attempts. You’re meant to be a man, not the mafia. When you’re pressuring a girl for what you want — is your flag to lean into Jesus who will give you what you need.The thing is: Real Manhood means you hallow womanhood. A woman isn’t a toy to amuse your lusts, a thing to aggrandize your ego, a trophy to adorn your manhood. A woman is of your rib, who birthed your rib, who cupped your rib, who is meant to be gently cherished at your rib, at your side.
The culture of boys will be boys — means girls will be garbage and you were made for more than this, Son. Your Dad and I believe boys will be godly and boys will be honoring and boys will be humble."
i think this not only shows a beautiful representation of what a Christian man is supposed to be, but also challenges me as a Christian women. as girls, we are quick to insult men, always complaining that we wish there were more 'good men' in the world, without ever asking ourselves if we ourselves are being good women. we have expectations and lists of what we want in a man, but do we challenge ourselves to grow in Christ and be the type of woman that the 'good man' we talk about would want to be with? if we want someone to devote their life to Christ, living a life of grace and truth, do we also live up to that expectation ourselves?
men and women of Christ both need to strive to live a Godly life, no matter what, not allowing ourselves to be conformed and influenced by the world and its set of expectations. we need to honor and respect each other, not de-valuing either gender.
He is Risen....He is Risen indeed!
