Good Men

Many months ago I read a little editorial in the Deseret News that I loved. It was titled Helping men become the positive influence they need to be and you can read the whole article HERE. 

The premise of the article was that with the increased incidence of mass shootings and the 'me too' movement, the trend has been to demoralize men for their terrible behavior. While I in no way condone such action by men, I was grateful that the article called raised a call for more good men. That it stated the need, the great need, our world has for men who are good, who are true, who are kind, who are hardworking, who are examples and who encourage the children and women in their lives.

Such men do exist. I know. I was married to one.

Not having a man living in our home, I can see more clearly the essential role that Jacob played in our family. I can see the things he did, the ways he helped, his role in encouraging and teaching and loving our children now more than I ever could when he was alive. What an oxymoron but truism to many things in life. We cannot fully appreciate what we have until it is taken away. Then our eyes our opened and our ability to understand how good it was is increased.

With that understanding I am now more aware of the good men around us. I watch their interactions with their wives. I see how they treat their children. I listen to them talk about their work and church service. I see them help and serve and support in so many ways. And I feel impressed that they are still many SO good men in the world. They go about their lives quietly and without fanfare, but the contributions they are making to the raising generation are critical. They are teaching, loving and encouraging their children and my children through their good choices and their watch care. They are truly trying to emulate the Savior.

The article ends with a quote by Edmund Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." I have every reason to hope that because of the things I see the good men in our life doing for me and our kids- giving priesthood blessings, playing sports with our children, taking them to the temple, watching football games with them, attending their games, listening to our worries, spending time with us and helping out with projects in our home that evil still has its work cut out for it and that good men will, in the end, with He who is goodness personified triumph.