We were discussing about the difference in the way that men and women are both handled by the church community. When the women of DC get together, it is a time of fellowship and sharing. One of our favorite things to do is to share "Your story of His Glory". We talk about some of the rough roads we've walked and how God showed up. We get to share the amazing truth of God's grace and love. We talk about how it really is okay to be feeling some of the things that you are feeling and we talk about how to take those feelings to the Lord. We spend a lot of time encouraging one another that we are doing okay on the road we are walking on, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't take your eyes off Jesus. When Mother's day rolls around, the women get a great message about what amazing mothers they are and they get encouragement to keep the faith.
My friend and I were talking about how different it is for the men. Now...neither one of us are men so we can only go by what we hear, but even from the things we can see...we know that it is different. I wonder how the men's retreat compares to the women's. Do they form the same types of bonds that the women do. Do they leave feeling encouraged or like they don't measure up. If there are men reading my blog, I would love your comments on this subject. I know that on Father's day, there is rarely a warm fuzzy message about what amazing fathers they are. There is often guidance and correction. The dads get a laundry list of things they should do better. I wonder how it makes some dads feel. What if Dad is giving it 110% at home? What if he is truly the head of the household, and he is wearing himself out providing for his family? Where is his encouragement?
Yesterday, I was driving home for a quick new puppy potty break and I heard something on the radio that irritated me. I listen to a local Christian station that covers all of Central Florida. They always have some little snippets of someone giving advice. This guy comes on and starts telling the husbands that they need to try harder. That a husband should try to hug his wife five times this week, he should compliment her at least five times, he should talk her up in front of his kids. and he should ask her every day what he can do for her. I think these are all fine and good ideas and would be beneficial to a marriage but it got me thinking. How many times I have heard this type of message? The answer is A LOT. How many times have I heard this type of message directed at wives? I can't think of one time. Isn't it equally important for a wife to hug her husband, talk him up in front of the kids, and ask what she can do for him? I know that men and women are different creatures with how they process feelings and emotions, but men need encouragement too. Just sayin'
