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When Two Cultures Collide: Common Ground

Shortly after I spied these pretties at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Northern Indiana …

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… I spied five men sitting around a table:  an attorney, a rancher, the owner of a concrete and excavation company, the owner of a home restoration company, and (my Renaissance Man) the president of an international child rescue organization.  All are Americans.  All are Christians.  All are family men.
 

  Two are Amish. 

The attorney (a long-time family friend and father of the groom at the previous evening’s wedding) had introduced my husband to the Amish men and their families on a recent trip to Indiana; in fact, Renaissance Man had dinner in one of their homes, and the evening made quite an impression on him.  For that reason, I was thrilled to sit at the same table as the men (and their wives) a couple of nights prior at the rehearsal dinner.  What an enjoyable evening …

But on this morning, as the men sat around the table, I was no longer thinking of pretty, feminine dishes.  Instead, my thoughts turned to what I consider to be the most attractive masculine characteristic there is:  Men who recognize that they are nothing without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Men who understand that it’s not about their career or business acumen, their lifestyle, or even their particular religious affiliation.  It’s about relationship … and eternity.


The men spent quite a bit of time together that day, and as Renaissance Man later told me, their conversations ranged from farming and hand guns … to the state of the U.S. economy and its effect on their businesses … to the condition of Christians.  Does the presence of Christ in our lives make any visible difference?  It should.  Are we relevant?  Do we speak Truth?  Are we focused on ourselves and our own families … or are we trusting God to provide while we reach out to help those who have no voice?

Five men … taking on the God-given responsibility of a man to be the spiritual leader of his household … and his community.  Holding each other accountable.  Asking the hard questions of themselves … and each other.

It was a blessing to see … and it’s a blessing to call one of them “husband.”

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14


I’m joining Spiritual Sunday at Blogger Spirit.

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The Eleventh Hour … What Does It Look Like? Too close for comfort… YARD WORK ANGELS: Day 17 of 31 Days of Creative Caring THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP: Meeting a Blogland Buddy
14 Jul 2012
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Comments

  1. NanaDiana says
    July 14, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    THAT is what you call having your priorities in the right place. Blessings- xo Diana

  2. Sherry says
    July 14, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    Awesome!
    Sherry

  3. Entertaining Women says
    July 14, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    Beautiful witness. Thanks. Cherry Kay

  4. Barbara F. says
    July 15, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    How special to break bread with these folks. It must have been a wonderful wedding. xo

  5. Kelley Highway says
    July 15, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    And it was my blessing to read. I feel good inside. Thank You, Lord, for godly men.

  6. Debbie says
    July 17, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Amen to this! Just reading your words quickened my heart. I couldn’t agree more on what is the best (and most handsome!) characteristic of a man, and that he be a man after God’s own heart.

    I have a strong and prayerful passion toward the building of strong men who will, as HE says “stand in the gap.”

    This picture is a beautiful sight.