The measure of a man

As men, we are always trying to make sure our lives are adequate. Many men pursue this sense of adequacy through the pursuit of money and things, others seek fulfillment in business success and by obtaining power, some seek adequacy through the admiration of others, and there are many other ways offered by this world by which a man might be sure that his life is adequate and lasts after he is long gone.

I recently attended the funeral of a relative, Hugh Elliott, who entered my life at a critical point for me. I was struggling to make my way through Bible College and he graciously gave me a job and made sure I had enough hours to take care of my family. It was a great privilege for me to have daily interaction with him and his family for a couple of years. After graduation, I moved on and had little interaction with him. Even though we seldom saw each other for many years I always appreciated him and what he did for me. Not only, did he make a way for me to take care of my family, but he also shared some of his wisdom with me and I carry those nuggets today. 

On the surface, one would think that his life was filled with adequacy and satisfaction because he was very successful in business. However, at his funeral it became clearly obvious that his life was full because he was a man of character. He was one of those people who always tried to help others rather than look for a way to help himself at someone else's expense.

He made time to connect with his children and grandchildren and impart kindness and goodness to them. He influenced them in the things that really count. He loved their mother with a love that was very obvious even to casual observers.

At the end of his life, no one praised his business success, except to point out how he used it to help others. Those who knew him were lifted up by him. Those who knew him were made better by him. The real measure of a man is found in his character and his willingness to pour love into the lives of his family and friends.

Someday all of us will face the end of our lives. Now is the time to start doing what really counts.

• Open your heart to your wife and really love her...your children will be blessed.
• Take time to play with your children.
• Take time to get to know your children.
• Think of something you can do to make your children happy and do it...NO..I don't mean buying them something.
• Be a man a of character and explain that to your children as it affects your daily life so they can understand how that works in real life.

Real life is built on love not on things or the opinions of others!  

                  

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