Men are not bull elephants

From Joe White - Men at the Cross Ministry:

At a recent conference, something happened that I want to share. Watching hundreds of men come to the Cross in humility and sincerity is always thrilling. But for me, the greatest moment was an encounter with an old Vietnam War vet at the very end of the conference. I was out on the floor visiting and saying goodbye until everyone was gone. This bald-headed man walked up quietly, humbly and said, "Will you give me a hug? When I came home from Vietnam, I asked my dad to give me a hug and he refused. I've been waiting for that hug for a long time." Needless to say, I hugged that man like I was his dad and he had just won an Olympic gold medal. If the 300 plus pound players in the NFL I speak to crave them, why should a dad be surprised when his grown son longs for the gift of affirmation?

In stark contrast, soon after this unforgetable moment,I was watching, of all things, an elephant documentary on the Discovery Channel! Watching bull elephants rebuff each other, show their pride and domination and stake out their territory is understandable. But as men, as fathers and sons, as Pauls and Timothys, as men of faith, giving each other the gift of honor, affirmation, and the "I believe in you" blessing is one of the greatest gifts we can give. You know what separates us from bull elephants? We were made in the image of God. We get our "hugs" from God in countless ways.

I believe God gives His best "hugs" when we give them away. "Atta boys" and "I'm proud of you's" and "I believe in you's" are spoken hugs that "give the blessing" and receive it two-fold. If you and I want to be known for anything, we want to be known for this, especially in our homes.

God's "hugs" come from our obedience to His Word and the grace of His Spirit that "guides us into Truth." God's little rewards of affirmation are a whole lot more vital to a man's well-being than we probably recognize. Ephesians says he gives to us "exceedingly abundantly." I'm grateful for that. Man, I'm grateful for that!

Then we get God's hugs just from meditating on His Word. Like a "cow chewing his cud" after a great meal of alfalfa, going to bed with a Psalm like 23, 32, 34, 84, 91, 145, (or a host of others) on our mind is as soothing to a weary soul as anything this side of heaven.

To my friend on the Emerald Coast...thank you for a great reminder. You gave me a whole lot more than I gave you.

'Til we see each other again,

 Joe White, President
Men at the Cross