Breaking them down...

I'm not sure about you but I fully admit that I am old-school. I am totally "the man is the head of the house", I am to be submissive to him kind of wife. I really have no problem with it because 1. It is what the Bible says and 2. It is my gift to him to be a submissive encouraging wife. Now that I have a son of my own a lot of things jump out at me. Ways that women treat men on TV, the radio, and every day life. How are we building up these men, these leaders of our lives. Are we doing what the Bible asks us to do? Are we doing what God tells us to do?
I was extremely disturbed today when I was at the grocery store. I saw this mother completely mentally brutalized her son in the way of him being a man. This is how the conversation went, the little boy said to mom: "Am I the man of the house now that daddy is gone?" Mom laughed, hysterically laughed at him and said "even when daddy's home I am the man of the house. He is under me." For me, the saddest part wasn't so much what she said, or what she did. The saddest part was one day she will look at him and tell him to "man up". She will look at him and tell him to "lead his family", and that boy will have no clue what she is saying to him.
At the girls school, they start the day with prayer. The leader ask if anyone was willing to pray? This young boy maybe sixth or seventh grade stood up and prayed over the entire school. His words were strong and firm. It was so encouraging, almost brought tears to my eyes, to see this young man leading us. He was asking God to be with us, he was praying for us with strength. It was breath taking.
Amazing the two different ways I saw today. One will stand up and lead the next generation. The other will have no idea what that even means. Are we building up or men, or boys? Are we focusing on the positives or constantly reminding them of their faults? We are teaching strength against the crowd, courage toward peers? Are the fruits of the spirit in our lives?

I hope so...I really hope so!