This is a re-post of something I wrote several years ago for Father’s Day. I think this Father’s Day weekend is a good time to share it again, and now is a good time to celebrate and appreciate God’s gift of manhood.
45 years ago today I was blessed to marry the most wonderful man in the world. From the time I met him, just before I turned 18, he became the yardstick I measured all men by. He’s never failed to keep that bar high.
He inspired this post. I love him with all my heart. He has my respect, my loyalty, my admiration. He deserved the best of wives in return, but never complained about settling for me.
26 God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’
27 God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
I had an experience this weekend that made me think about men, about masculinity. It seems manhood is under attack these days from many directions. Indeed, in my opinion, a part of what so offends so many people about President Trump, especially Hillary supporters, is his unapologetic masculinity. He is a man who knows his power and embraces it.
That being said (and I can’t believe I put it in here, knowing where it could lead) please don’t make this another political free for all. My point here is broader.
To all you guys out there, tough guys, whether you express that inner strength clad in a business suit or well worn jeans and work boots, please accept the appreciation and approval of those of us who celebrate who and what you are, and what you do. Every day in ways large and small, you go out and just get the job done. You don’t ask for approval, thanks, or cheers because it just wouldn’t occur to you, and you are too busy getting things done to stop for recognition.
Lots of feminists have a problem with men. I believe they throw around terms like patriarchy, which they probably never looked up in their Funk and Wagnalls. Some humans with an X chromosome, and a few without one, appear to be threatened by the reality of masculinity.
Get a grip chicks, if you are really okay with who and what you are, men are not a threat, but a gift, not competition, but complementary. If your “feminine power” must be derived from the destruction of the epic event of God’s creation, you are pathetic already and men have nothing to do with that failure, you own it.
I’m not even going to waste breath here encouraging men to not allow women to define their masculinity. He who does that is already beyond my poor advice.
Men. All ages, sizes, colors, and other assorted variations. You were different from the moment of conception, and thank God for that. As a child you were faster, stronger, dirtier, and louder. You were often fearless while I stood beside you weighing the odds and assessing the situation. You climbed the tree while I looked for the ladder. You snuck out with the family car while I was cajoling dad for the keys.
In my day, back in the Dark Ages, as we grew into teens and young men and women, you actually appreciated my femininity and rewarded me with attention and admiration. Many of you were kind enough to open doors for me, walk alongside the curb beside me, and lift heavy objects before I tried to. You paid the bill for our dates, and if you ever wanted another one, you walked me to the door.
Because God is good, and loving, and gives us abundant graces and good things, in the early days of my womanhood, I fell in love with this wondrous creature God made from dust and clay. That right there ought to be a hint to us, man from dirt, earthy, strong, fundamental. But, I digress.
I married a man. A for real not apologizing for it man. He has muscles and strength and brawn and intelligence and toughness, a toughness that nothing in this world has ever even come close to breaking. Not even a little crack. Not once in all our years (41 Monday) has he ever even paused in the face of terrible trials and hardships. Now, I know him. I know that he isn’t a robot and he isn’t superman. Sure he’s had doubts, fears, and moments of desperation.
He never once, not one time, not ever considered giving in to them. On his shoulders landed the burdens that would have crushed me and our family without him. God alone knows the weight he bore. His faith was apparent and he led our family to church, led us in faith and worship. The kind that isn’t really so much talked about as lived.
So today, as we honor fathers, I just wanted to throw out a little appreciation for men. I pray that as the world turns and we learn from our mistakes, someday it is popular and honored for men to be men again. Soldiers, sailors, welders, business men, salesmen, teachers, pipefitters, mechanics, electricians, truck drivers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, preachers, rabbis, priests. Fathers, husbands, sons.
Thank you, God, for making men. Thank you for making them in your image. If you, Father, are the model from which my husband was formed, I sure am going to be so happy to meet you. Thank you for all the wonderful men you gifted us with, especially your Son.
Added note. To all who were here with us when my grandson Conner had his heart surgery almost two years ago now, who have asked so frequently how he’s doing, I added his picture. Yep, he’s one of the next generation of fearless daredevil boys in the family. His favorite thing is climbing and jumping, which he’s in the process of doing here. Thank you all for remembering him.
Added note to the added note ?: As I said, this post was written four years ago. Conner will be six this summer, God help us keep up with him.
Amen
Masculinity is an obligation, a duty which men of any sexual preference must live up to. Just like femininity is an obligation and a duty that all women of any sexual preference must live up to.
Thank you, Menagerie! Such a beautiful truth in your amazing words! Thank you for sharing it with us. I too am blessed with being married to a real man who loves as much as and as hard as he works. We just celebrated our 46th anniversary last month. That picture of your grandson is the perfect capture of the “all boy” soon to be a real man. God bless men and Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads here at CTH!
Same here…married 43 yrs….he is the rock for me and our daughters!
THANK YOU GOD! JESUS! AMEN!!
One of the greatest tragedies of mankind’s existence is its fixation on shallow outward appearances. Instead of focusing on and revering the inner beauty of a persons being many lives are destroyed in the pursuit of an elusive shallow illusion of a transient beauty. But the big pharma/big cosmetic big fashion big glamor and phony image folks are making money hand over fist. So I guess things ain’t all bad.
Thank you Menagerie.
We are celebrating our 45th in July!
…stout little guy….pity whatever it is he is about to pounce on……a lovely, heartfelt and thoughtful tribute…thank you
Pity his pounce… that just made me laugh! Thank you, I appreciate it. 🙂
Nice. Thanks for this post.
It is not just a war on men. As a nation we are feminizing our education and our religion. Jesus is portrayed as an effeminate being whose favorite saying was; “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” I believe he is one part of the trinity that is very judgmental and consequences for foolish, stupid, and evil behavior are allowed to happen.
In our country we are all wonderful and our heroes are the poor and those that pretend they care about them. Caucasian Christian successful man are to be ridiculed for their greed and power. We’ve had the advantage of getting up in the morning, making our bed, taking risks, working hard and smart. I almost forgot to mention planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
One more thing, please print a transcript of the NBC interview with Putin and then watch the interview as presented. They very conveniently removed what they didn’t like.
“Jesus is portrayed as an effeminate being”
Effeminate men do NOT do things like this:
Matthew 21:12 ¶ And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
John 2:12 ¶ After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Right on ❣
He would have spoken & acted “woke”;
~denouncing God
~apologized
~admitted to being a liar
~begging forgiveness for His mortal life.
Jesus IS The Man!!!!!!!!!
~My (our) Lord and Savior
“a transcript of the NBC interview with Putin and then watch the interview as presented. They very conveniently removed what they didn’t like.”
Thank you for confirming what I suspected – which is why I did not bother watching a video made by NBC.
Agree. But appreciate that someone else tolerated the fake news to confirm again that it is.
While we are all imperfect beings, isn’t it a miracle that we can often find that little piece in someone that makes us complete? Admitting that we are imperfect is the ultimate show of strength. As an imperfect man, finding myself cursed and demonized by people that have no roots and often appear to unhinged and mentally unstable, I am comforted that we raised two strong, independent young men. The World needs strong men, now more than ever. On this Father’s Day, I gives thanks to God Almighty for my wife of 34 years. She has made me complete.
My wife is many of the things I wish I could be.
That’s what most attracted me to her.
She completes me.
Thanks. I often wondered why my first generation Irish husband married me. He was reckless, crazy, over the top, and wicked good looking. He had girls coming out of the woodwork.
In total contrast I was a teetotaler, sheltered Catholic coed, pretty but so shy.
Well, later after we had been married 9 years and had 5 kids in tow we went to visit my sister in Bethesda. She said to my husband, ‘you have beautiful children.’ And I heard him say “it’s because of my wife, my beautiful wife.’ He had never said anything like that and I was stunned.
He lost his battle with brain cancer 2 years ago after 43 years of marriage. When I feel I cannot get thru one more day without him, something happens and I know it is him telling me to get out of bed, keep going.
The single greatest predictor of future failure and criminal behavior among young men OF ALL RACES is:
FATHERLESSNESS
Say it’s name!
(This fact drives the Leftisphere bonkers)
Which is why the black family is in shambles.
76% of all black babies are born to single black babies,. But even the blm (burn, loot, murder) manifesto claimed they did not believe in the nuclear family. They have since scrubbed what they believe, because a lot of Americans read it, and could not support blm.
Happy Father’s Day to all the loving dads out there. BE COURAGES AND STRONG!
Or as the left would say Happy S p e r m Donor Day!
oops… born to single black Moms.
Actually I thought you intended to write “babies.”
Too often those mothers are still emotional babies themselves, having also been deprived of a stable, masculine, responsible father when growing up.
Funny that the comment made complete sense either way
Wonderful!
Thank you God for manly, godly men!
Menagerie, your eloquence is divine, it is obvious to me that it is derived from and inspired by the same divine source as Sundance’s posts. It is though you are both instruments of the on high, singing from the same song sheet each in your complimentary styles that together reflect the deeper glory of God in the present sea of chaos. Thank you.
Hello Menagerie! Lovely and heartfelt sentiment you write here. But…I thought I married the most wonderful man in the world! ( LOL ). My husband and I celebrate our 47th anniversary in November, and he continues to be the Love of my life, a wonderful Daddy to our daughter (who is 34)…and he loves me with all his heart. We never have to call a repairman, a car mechanic, a mason, painter, plumber or electrician. He fixes everything…including me when I am feeling low. (I do the same for him.) Anyway, thank you for posting such a touching message about your husband.
How blessed….
Thank you for that (again).
Simply beautiful! How blessed your husband is to have married you and to have been deemed worthy!
Thank you Menagerie. Happy Anniversary! Blessings and prayers for you and your family.
Ditto and also thanks Menagerie for the 60s flashback to Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in ” Lots of feminists have a problem with men. I believe they throw around terms like patriarchy, which they probably never looked up in their Funk and Wagnalls. “
Ooooo, great article, my feelings exactly!! I used to blog and write about same subject matter, real women do not need to resent men, they treasure them.
Thank you, Menagerie!! My husband, the most fearless and masculine man I’ve known, and I will celebrate our 43rd anniversary next week. I am blessed beyond measure!
May God Bless You & Your Family !!!
Haven’t heard words of kindness like these in a long time.
Such a terrific post, Menagerie. Many prayers for you and your sweet family as you continue to progress and grow. Know that messages like these and the comments already expressing long, successful marriages lend hope to hold outs like me. This day and age I respect and admire gentlemen who hold dear the Patriot Spirit and the worthy Awe of God. The brave are so few. My prayers uplift and embolden those fighting the good fight.
Thank you, Menagerie for that glowing tribute to all fathers, but especially to God the Father of us all.
Beautiful post and may I say, that wonderful man is lucky to have you for a wife!
Thanks. I needed this today.
Awaken …..
Lose the pjs, bathe, dress, go to work and
~ Live your best life! ~(Thanks, Sundance)
Aaaaaagghh, the original pajama boy! Out! Out!
lol
Thank you.
Wow. I’m crying. What a beautiful testimony, Menagerie. God opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessings on you and your family. In this age of disposing of things we don’t like almost immediately, including each other, it’s very heartwarming to read a testimony like yours. A testimony of commitment, no matter what. I have no doubt that you and your husband are role models not just to all who know you but to all who see you out and about. Thank you for sharing this. Numbers 6:24-26
Thank you so very much.
We had a tremendous role model in our Grandfather. he went back to work at age sixty or so to feed us three boys. As our father ( his son.) had died a drunk at 42 yrs of age and the mother had walked out years before.
We boys have all tried to live up to his example, and have stumbled many a time. However we do try to be good fathers, and are still married to the same wives. The mothers of our children.
The one brother has three sons, another one son and a daughter, and me two sons.
Today our two daughters in law, and sons will be over. ( we are fortunate as one lives in the house next to us, and the other a ten minute drive away)
Each couple has blessed us with our first grandchildren row beautiful little boys.
The memories of my Grandfather are a strong, he was a fisherman in the North Sea and swept the sea for German mines during WW2.
My life today is a “picnic” compared to many of my Grandfathers generation.
Thank you again, and a sincere thanks to the many fine posters here.
Nae Surrender ( except to the demon alcohol. ?)
God bless PDJT
my keyboard is soaking wet reading this and as well as what is also above. You are a very blessed man. May God continue to bless your family.
Your reply has my eyes ? thank you, and yes I am.
Sincerest best wishes to you.
Love the post Menagerie. Gods blessing to you, your husband, and daredevil grandson!
Retired Magistrate here: I was 40 years old when I met my husband to be. My first marriage was a disaster; I married a man who ran around before our marriage and after. After 8 years I finally said enough.
I was divorced for 12 years and had given up on ever meeting someone who would really love me….and then Doug. I thought my knight in shinning armor would ride up in a fancy sports car; instead he rode up in a little Plymouth Champ! From the time we met and for the last 32 years I have been in and out of hospitals with chronic illnesses. Doug has stood by me all that time, encouraged me to keep on and was the one who told me GOD loved me when I thought GOD hated me because of all the trials I was going through.
We have been through a lot together and now he has health problems also. However, we are a team and pull together through all of it with the help of JESUS. I am so blessed to have this wonderful man in my life.
To all fathers out there, have a wonderful Father’s Day and know that you are truly appreciated.
Thank you for your wonderful message. It is my hope and prayer that my wife thinks these same thoughts of me. Now, I am teaching my grandson by example and with words how to be a man as he grows into this role. He sees me showing respect and deference to his grandmother, his mother, and his little sister. He sees me keeping my mind alert with study of another language and other subjects. He sees me keeping my body strong and agile in order to keep them and he safe from the evil that exists in the world. He sees me attend church, read the Bible, and give thanks to the Lord for our well being at meal times. I can see the man within him beginning to show at 8 years old as he volunteers to lead our prayers as we have an intimate meal or a family gathering, or how he helps clean up after the meals without being asked to do so, protects his sister at school as he walks her to her class room, keeps our pool clean and checks the leaf catchers to make sure no living thing is in them before we jump in, and then he will save bees, lizards, and other insects from drowning as he has seen me do over the years. I am so proud of him now as a boy and the man that he will become. At that time, I pray God will bless him with a woman who will respect him, love hm, give him 45 years or more of happiness, and call him a man’s man as you have done so beautifully with this posting. Thank you.
Men will always be men and women will always be women.
Let’s think a bit on this.
If we add a dose of the manual into our insane world, in this “gender confusion” (just get naked and look down) you see it ain’t about “you” And the moment you see the world in that perspective, all is just a learning curve.
That little tiny truth is sacred, should be treated as such.
Apply that liberally in any place where the path is not clear and ‘PRESTO’ just like magic, all the smoke and lies disappear.
Men’s muscles, his strength and aggression was put there for the family he will reside over and protect, provide for.
And guys, it ain’t you it’s God that kills those
Goliaths, you just need to show up and take the challenge. A lot more would get done if you give God the credit. There was s comfort in that truth.
Same with women. The only reason you are special is for service. How you choose to use that gift is on you.
See, you get off center in any circumstance, loose sight of God, and it all goes to crap.
Men abuse women, women abuse themselves. And usually the most innocent pay the price.
God bless all fathers! Those who took the challenge and didn’t quit.
It’s the finish line that matters, there ain’t no participation prices in life.
And heaven resides in hugs and kisses, the smiles and achievements of your family because ‘you’ chose
them over yourself.
Magnificent post!
It’s good to hear that the little boy is doing well.
People are waking-up. People are asking questions. People are listening to their inner-self given by God’s creation of Man. Inner-self is an enemy of evil, corrupt, controlling, criminal, manipulative man.
The Truth is the bedrock of freedom. Truth is the World God created as it is meant to be; Joy, Fulfillment, Meaning. Living a life of Truth as God meant for YOU and not a life of Lies man demonically imposes on YOU.
Menagerie, I have been married to my beautiful wife for 36 years next month. Like me,I am certain your man did very well! Thank you for all you do!
Beautiful tribute to your family. I cannot stand to read you say your husband was too good for you “but never complained about settling for me.”
You are also a child of God, made in the image of God.
My grandmother taught my mother when you get something great just appreciate it, be thankful for it and take care of it. But you are certainly worthy of it! Please treasure yourself as your loved ones do, you are a wonderful woman.
I am no longer a fan of Laura Ingraham, but I’m forever grateful she started pointing out boys are falling behind and others who point out the war on men because that is certaily a way to topple a society. It is truly evil to allow public figures, media, a party, teachers, professors and so forth to trash your husbands, fathers and sons.
I am so glad people have been rejecting it in droves. (Note Hillary lost the white woman vote too, even with the cheating. Of course she lost it. I said if a party trashed the men of some other ethnicity their women would be in the streets in anger defending the men in their lives along with the lost vote so she got off far too easy)
Everyone likes to joke about irritations with women or men or this group or that group.
But when it’s institutionalized and a part of the Party of Hate’s political platform, and pumped out as propaganda in your media, entertainment and schools then it’s time to really push back and say absolutely not.
God bless all the men who have built civilization and contribute so much. The best ones are the least thanked.
I really appreciate this lovely tribute and your grandson is a budding Superman! Leaping tall couches in a single bound.
What a heartwarming post. Two things things stand out. Firstly, your description of your husband tells me he is a good solid man. Secondly, you sound like you are a very good woman who values the right things. May your love flourish.
I have been married to my one and only bride for over 30 years. I served my country in the Canadian Forces and have been the primary breadwinner to my bride and my (now grown) two sons. I look after my family to the best of my ability.
I’m fortunate to come from good working class stock. My father was a coal miner as was his father and grandfather. My mom is 94 and is an exemplar what it means to be a good mother. My maternal grandparents were pioneer farmers in northern Alberta. My dad joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as an air gunner in WWII and served in Bomber Command in England. My paternal grandparents both served overseas in the Canadian army during WWI.
I say all this because it is they who taught me what it is to be a man. Love God and your family, cherish your friends and neighbours, always act with integrity and give back to your community. My point is that to the extent I can even hope to be slightly compared to your husband it is because of God’s constant loving grace and my loving parents and grandparents (and I had two wonderful grandmothers). In the end it is all about love. May God bless you both.
@ My maternal grandparents were pioneer farmers in northern Alberta.
When you have a moment would you share any stories that you might have about these grandparents, please. When I read that my heart stuttered; the time, the place, those were mighty people.
This brought tears. Your eloquent tribute to your husband isf that of which the world needs to hear more.
I had two wonderful “real men” husbands who loved and cherished me, as I did them. Unfortunately I lost them both and am a widow now but feel very blessed. Who gets to have that twice in a lifetime?
One of my hot buttons for awhile has been the feminization of boys. You articulated this very well. In our schools especially, boys are punished for being too loud, too boisterous, too energetic. In essence for not being “more like the girls.”
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us.
At the time(Viet Nam) I was a fighter-pilot there was no women fighter-pilots . Then “feminist” Pat Schroeder came along. and a General told me, “This is the beginning of the end of fighter-pilots”. I couldn’t imagine a Jet-fighter squadron with women.
I am not saying women cannot make excellent fighter pilots. They can and they do which I respect.. However, I have always thought they should have their own fighter squadrons and be all they can be as woman fighter pilots. I have never been convinced a hybrid Fighter-Squadron is as effective as it is supposed to be.
Your position is anathema to feminists. Granted I have no experience in said field, but I agree with you.
Happy Anniversary! God has greatly blessed you both.
And you are blessing those of us who read CTH regularly. Thank you.
Two months ago I lost my WW II veteran dad, and Father’s Day feels different to me this year.
Jack Posobiec just pointed out that all of the “cultural” aspects of manhood are false, it is really discipline and agency. And responsibility. And teaching those to one’s children.
Thank you.
Such an appropriate graphic to your writing, Menagerie.
Interesting that God is both carried & held onto by cherubs /angels; while supported by a wingless. Man?
~His arm around what appears to be the precious cargo: woman.
You find out real quick how much of a man you are when the Dominoes start to fall.. Our house has been through a lot of things in the past 7 years.. We hold Faith and God at the top for an Anchor to our Souls. My Wife and I’s Friendship is stronger than ever.. We was not always so fortunate. We left Church for several years. I did not notice the Small changes until it almost consumed me. Back to Church Back to GOD! Life is great even with the trials. My young sister is on her way out 48 yrs old. She had different ideas on Life and the direction she chose has now come to the end. I love her and will miss her but she has chosen to call it a day. I am a little rough on the edges but I love God and Country. I would give my life for my kids and I would do it many time for my Grandkids. Life has been so good since the Grand babies…
I owe it all to my Dad and The Lord Jesus! Ive been Molded by the toughness of Love.
Fearless in my youth and getting more frail as I continue to get older.. Life is short.. My son will be a good if not great man as he gets older and wiser. I am unapologetic for who I am and what God has made me.
Rough and Tuff and Dont take crap from anyone.. John Wayne on Toilet paper (no name brane) (its a joke).
Thanks for the read it was very good and hit home.
That was lovely.
Always enjoy your posts Menagerie and appreciate the update on little Conner.
My Dad passed away almost 22 years ago, and I miss him more than I can ever express. He loved my husband (think Dad appreciated what my husband was in for 😉 and appreciate everything he did for me. I was blessed with a really terrific dad.
I’ll never not think of my Dad on Father’s Day but I’ll be looking to my husband to celebrate. We’ll be celebrating our 42nd anniversary this coming fall and I often joke with him that he’s like MacGuyver – always able to figure out how to fix things that absolutely flummox me. I’ll also be thinking of my son and my son-in-law who are wonderful men raising their sons.
Happy Father’s Day to all of you wonderful, loving, strong, capable, patient, and Godly men who are blessed to be called “Dad”.
I did a double take when I saw that photo; at first glance I was wondering “How did they get a picture of my oldest?” He’s roughly the same size, has similar clothes, and I know that posture and demeanor oh-so-well… I turned my computer to show my husband and he goes “That’s [oldest]?!” No… but that child does look like [oldest], and he’s about to jump off that couch. xD
Conner is/was beautiful.
Thank you for this post, today.
Beautiful thoughts so well expressed, Menagerie! A good marriage is made of a strong man and a strong woman, and I know that is true of yours.
You are lucky to have met a real man at such a young age and to be married to him. It took me a long time to meet and be in a relationship with a MAN, not a boy. It’s amazing, isn’t it?! I kissed a lot of frogs…but now I’m with my prince!
Congratulations to You Managerie. I just celebrated 43 years of good years. We praise God and thankful for all the good and bad over the years.
The question we should ask is this:
Why do we feel that a defense of men (real men) is necessary?
To address a problem, the first step is root cause analysis.