My most recent column for Shreveport’s Catholic Connection – if a man wants to be manly, he will find plenty of opportunity in fatherhood. Click through for the rest of the article and a {Pin-worthy} graphic perfect for the fridge or your desktop.
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Andrew and the fellas – teaching them to arm wrestle
Wild at Heart is in my top five favorite books. Written by John Eldredge for both male and female readers, Wild at Heart took me on an adventure through the soul of every man and explored the universal desires of his heart. While it goes without saying that each man is different from the next, there’s no denying that they aspire to heroism, they seek a battle to fight, and adventure and risk are woven into their fantasies. Ultimately, the answer to all of the above is found in a life lived with God, the very source of each yearning. God Himself is the prime example of what it means to be a warrior, to take risks and to rescue those in danger; and because God created man with these hopes, He offers him the chance to fulfill his dreams in whatever God calls him to do.
For millions of men, that call includes fatherhood which never fails to provide opportunity for truly masculine expression. Though it may not entail conventional ideas of heroism, battle and adventure, fatherhood requires every bit of them in abundance.
Perhaps surprisingly, heroism is the easiest among the three to achieve in fatherhood. All my husband has to do is look up and he’s a champion. Our small children range from unborn to four-years-old, so the height of their existence right now is showcasing their abilities: how strong they are and how fast. “Daddy, watch me!” Though they can’t get enough of my attention, it’s their dad’s amazement that they pursue constantly; when Andrew walks away from what he’s doing to affirm that our boys are as great as they hope, he’s a hero. They glow knowing they impress him and make him proud. Continue Reading –>
