Comments on: Do men hurt?

By: momof5

momof5 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:25:59 +0000

Cuthalion,
That’s why I advised spending time helping out an admirable man. If he’s admirable, he’s probably involved in worthwhile activities. Whether it’s long-term or short-term, no service is wasted. You may learn a skill or character trait that God intends for you to get BEFORE the big calling.

My husband is big on this because he was a very gifted, but small-hearted young man. God used some humbling circumstances to curb his pride and grow his heart. THEN he was ready for bigger responsibilities.

A dear friend of mine warns us homeschool mommies not to contribute to the “big head, small heart” phenomenon that seems to be common in homeschool children, who can tend to be the center of their little universes.

Service is the key. Whether it’s serving a needy neighbor, or serving a powerful politician in a campaign, service has the potential to widen your world and enlarge your heart.

The prime of life, when you’re young and strong and adventurous, is a great time to start!

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By: JohnV

JohnV — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Actually we have, as a company, helped at HfH worksites – nothing particularly related to our field but apparently we were a good, useful group. I guess a lot of groups don’t get much done but we’re pretty hands-on.

I did enjoy it and would help out regularly if I could find the right connections. I’ll have to check it out next spring…

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By: mumsee

mumsee — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:07:33 +0000

John V,

Or do something totally outside of your field and that is where coming alongside kicks in. A lot of older folk in the church are busily volunteering here there and everywhere, find one and go along, your eyes may well be opened to interesting things. I am still shocked when somebody with a normal life comes along and gets a glimpse of what suffering goes on in the lives of children in America. It seems so common to me having worked with these kids for years, I forget that the “normal” person has no idea until one ventures in and is overwhelmed with the pain. There are many many avenues of assistance, just step through the door.

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By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:44:39 +0000

Great suggestion Pauline.

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By: Pauline

Pauline — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:29:01 +0000

John V,
I don’t know much about what an electrical engineer does, but I remember seeing an article about a partnership between some electrical engineering school and Habitat for Humanity, to find better ways to build low-cost homes. If there is a chapter of Habitat for Humanity in your area, maybe you could see how your skills might be able to help them.

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By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:16:44 +0000

Jesus was a carpenter – certainly anyone who worked with HIM was most fortunate –

Many young people today believe they need to find the ‘really big thing’ to do, yet miss all the joy they could experience by working along side someone, helping until then, whatever ‘then’ brings -

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By: JohnV

JohnV — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:14:35 +0000

I wasn’t clear, but I do have an occupation as an electrical engineer and I love my work. I just don’t think it’s enough – I can only work so many hours a week and I don’t want my life to focus on my work. Being a workaholic may be acceptable but it isn’t to me. I see it as a way to support something else, something better but don’t have anything there.

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By: mumsee

mumsee — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:26:26 +0000

My grown kids see that a lot in the people with whom they went to college. Several of their friends and acquaintances, after graduation, picked up low paying or end of the line jobs with no future, some living at home with mom some living with a group of roomies and all spending lots of time thinking how sad it is they have not yet found the big thing they are going to do. But they are not out looking or even moving so they will bump into the big thing! Seems a lot of people think that life is about the big things while it is really about the day to day life and the interactions with others where we are showing people God and the eternal Hope. As the Army commercials used to say, “Life. Be in it.”

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By: Cuthalion

Cuthalion — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:07:44 +0000

Then again, Mumsee makes a good point. JohnV may very well find out what he needs to do by hanging around a sort of mentor.

Personally, I just don’t want to end up like the guy who buried his responsibility. Jesus didn’t seem to approve of that kind of strategy.

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By: Cuthalion

Cuthalion — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:05:59 +0000

Momof5, I’m sure you meant well, but you’ve just described a state that can be referred to as “idling or making useless progress”. If JohnV’s anything like me, he doesn’t want to just do something, he wants to do something! So just hanging around watching someone when he’s in the physical prime of his life probably isn’t what he’s looking for. It may be better than just surviving, but surely God’s got something bigger in store!

I like to think there’s something big to do just waiting around the corner. Unfortunately, that may just be my pride talking. But I hope not.

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