First Impressions of Manhood

"First impressions are constant in society...

good ones are pleasant and long lasting,

bad ones long and difficult to disprove."

                          ~Diego Velasquez

"Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it."

                          ~Proverbs 22:6

"It is better to train a child than correct a man."

                          ~Unknown

Whether you are a father or a mother, you are an example and an influence in a child's life, be it a good example or a bad one. You are the child's first and possibly the most influential instructor of the picture of manhood. Yes, mothers, you are too. How you treat your husband, how you treat your man, what you say about him in front of your children, influences their picture of manhood, just as certainly as the man's carriage of himself and behavior towards men, women and children.


Fathers, responsible fathers and father figures, we need you. It takes a village to raise a child, so when biological fathers are not present, for whatever the reason, men, step up and step in. Who knows, one day you may not be around to aid in the raising of your own child. Would you not want someone to be there for him or her to represent and nurture them in your absence? Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you. Stand in the gap.


I thank God that he placed several father figures and representations of God's love for me in my life as I was growing up. I'm thankful that my mom always presented a respectful attitude towards my father, and men in general, in our presence. A healthy respect for God's order and God's creation, generates a healthy respect for oneself.