Today is a work (fix the church, refurbish the building) day at our church. Men tend to appear.
I am not one to take the lead in construction. I will put on gloves and tote and lift. Although I love the result of well done construction, the expertise of construction is not in my court!
I enjoy organizing a big project. I love to dream what things will look like and dream them into existence. I like to bring people together to become friends and neighbours.
In the last few decades men have been told they are wild at heart. Somewhere inside we are told we would rather be out rescuing the damsel, building homes, playing sports and conquering the world. All with our hands and our brawn.
Not everybody agrees. In my own travels I have seen many sensitive men who love working on computers and conquering the space of the home. I have seen dreamers whose dreams are about the world in general and not the dirt in particular.
Work days for them are network times, times to be with others on a project that they will help finish, but which does not require them to conquer anything. It’s just plain fun.
So, let’s break stereotypes! When you see a group of guys together swinging hammers and singing “yo-ho” songs, don’t look at them as just another bunch of “manly men”, sweaty and full of brawn and not much brains. Consider that each one is their own man!