"Man Enough To Answer"

I came across this poem by Lena Lathrop, entitled "A Woman's Question" and it speaks particularly to guys. It chills me every time I read it and shows me to be the immature boy that is so easy to be. It stops me in my path, halting my tracks, and dares me to be man enough to treat every women right. While this poem may seem a bit outdated and old fashioned , the message is timeless.

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing

Ever made by the Hand above?

A women's heart, and a woman's life-

And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing

As a child might ask for a toy?

Demanding what others have died to win,

With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,

Manlike, you have questioned me.

Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul

Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,

Your socks and your shirt whole;

I require your heart be true as God's stars

And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,

I require a far greater thing;

A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts-

I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,

And a man that his maker, God,

Shall you upon as He did on the first

And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade

From this soft young check one day;

Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,

As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,

I may may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or hell

On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,

All things that a man should be;

If you give this all, I would stake my life

To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and a cook

You can hire and little to pay;

But a woman's heart and a woman's life

Are not to be won that way.

I'll be blunt, it's time for me and all you other guys to grow up and put our childish ways behind us when it comes to the women in our life. Yes it is hard. Yes, most times seems unrewarding. Yes, it takes a real man. Yes, God is in your corner. Yes, you can do it with His help. If I can do it, you can do it, if you you can do it, he can do it, so what we doing? Lets start doing it! Leave every girl better off for knowing you by not getting between her and God, respecting her as a child of God, and treating her like your sister, because that is what she is until you marry her. Proverbs says repeatedly not to awaken love until its time. Watch your interactions with girls, are you saying something because it gives you a rush to flirt with her? Are you spending time with her because it gives you a better image with the guys? Do they feel safe and protected around you? Do you spur them on toward Christ? Practically you can have a blast with this! It is fun to serve people and help them. Baking blueberry muffins to send to them as a surprise, Praying for them, Encourage them when they are down and point them to the Word...

relationship principle - "Intimacy is the reward of commitment"

Ladies, do not ever, repeat ever sell out for just any guy out there. You are a treasure and special. God has you in the palm of His hand waiting to bless you with a real man if that's His plan for you, which statistically for most of you, includes marriage at some point. Wait on the Lord and He will come through for you.  As a guy I do not really know whats its like, but I would guess it is kinda scary waiting for a guy. Us knuckle heads are sometimes not even aware of what we are doing, and that would be hard to deal with I think! Become a woman who is running hard after God, and that will catch the eyes of like minded guys. That is really attractive, to see a woman who is pursuing God above me and every thing else!


p.s. My future wife, can't wait to meet you because you will be a amazing gift from the Lord. Oh, wait for my letter to you on Valentines day...