We're Men. It's What We Do.

What's the first image that came to mind when you read that statement? What was the "It" in question that flashed before your imagination? Was it of something negative, perhaps belching, farting and scratching? Something more negative like going to Hooters and getting into a drunken fight? Possibly something worse?

Or was it something positive? Like having a door held open for you, your heavy groceries carried for you, or a seat offered in a crowded place? Perhaps having someone to defend you?

I am still reading through Elderidge's most recent book, and in it he recounts a scene form the Western Open Range:

Typical of westerns and their mythic simplicity, the town has been overtaken by bad guys, as John says the world lies under the power of the Evil One (1 John 5:19). The crooks have installed their own sheriff, and hired gunslingers to frighten the citizens into submission. Two cowboys come to town to get some justice for the murder of their comrade, and the near murder of a boy they have befriended. In the saloon, they try to rouse the men of the town into action. One of the local tradesmen says, "It's a shame what this town's come to," to which one of the cowboys replies, "You could do something about it." "What?" the frightened man replies. "We're freighters. Ralph's a shopkeeper." Then my favorite line: "You're men, ain't ya?" The assumption being that whatever else a man might be, he ought to be a fighter.

I was kind of wrestling with that statement, not completely convinced of its validity. And then, in curious timing, I read something on Paula's blog that really seemed to speak to this very question. She is retelling the story of a nightmare she had dreamed and notes:

When we drove up, Steve was parked outside in a white pick-up truck. This is especially odd since Steve drives a Saturn. I sent Melissa in to get fries and a table while I stayed out to talk to Steve. However, in my dream I didn't talk to Steve, there was like a total scene skip and then Steve wasn't in the dream anymore. (Despite the fact that I wish he had been because he's a good friend plus a man and this situation ended up getting scary.)

Fascinating, isn't it? Here is a serendipitous and uniquely personal validation of a concept I was wrestling with. Here my friend wanted me around because (a) I'm a friend (b) I'm a man and (c) things are about to get scary. Instinctively, I love it and could scarcely hope for a better compliment.

An interesting question could be raised at this point along the lines of "What should women be able to expect from men? " (And vice versa.) I would say that every woman should have the right to expect nobility, courage, and honest strength from a man. I would also add though, that while it should be expected, it should never be taken for granted when it is received or witnessed.