Being a Man

From "Bond of Brothers" by Wes Yoder (thanks for the book, Bob!);
"At some point in life, being a man includes learning to say what you think about the things you do not want to talk about. It means being an initiator among friends and family about the things that really matter. It means being a provider, a defender, and a spiritual leader for your family and for the poor in your community who cannot do these things for themselves. It means you have the lifelong privilege of practicing kindness, of being a servant, of giving away your life in order to gain it, and of providing identity, strength, and character for your family. A man has the honor of being a keeper of wisdom and a sensible lifestyle, of nurturing a true understanding about God as a shelter from the lies of the culture."