Men are romantic

 Men, yes all of them, are romantic. 

As heretical as that may sound to some women, give me a chance. (I’m a woman and I know your arguments, ladies…you should unfurrow your brow and listen/read.)  Now, I have not done an actual statistically sound study, but my guess is if you asked most men, they would not describe themselves as very romantic.  “Would you consider yourself a romantic guy?” I’d ask.  “Umm, well, sometimes.”  Or, “I guess; it depends on the situation.” “Not really.”  I can almost hear these answers. And I want to reply, “Yes, you ARE romantic.”  Not in a condescending “you’re wrong” way, but in an encouraging, “You’re underestimating yourself” kind of a way.

You are, Gentlemen, created in the image of the most romantic being ever: God.  You have to be romantic.  You just have to be.  He made you in His likeness.  This is the God that initiated and purposefully and passionately pursued a meaningful, real relationship with his creation, with you.  This is the God that is creative, and true and meek and doesn’t force, but rather woos.  This is the God that longs to spend quality time with His lover, that comforts, that wants to know and be known.  This is the God that is jealous and lavish and present and sacrificial and always, always has your best interest in mind.  And you have that in you.  You do.

Undoubtedly you’ve heard of creative, romantic acts that feel insurmountable in comparison to your romantic attempts, thoughts and budgets.  You’ve seen the movies (oh, that Mr Darcy’ll give you a run for your money); some guy flying across the world or renting out Tiffany’s or making a fool of himself in front of a crowd of thousands.  It all feels kind of ridiculous and outlandish doesn’t it.  It feels like way too much work, or there is a very real chance of rejection or that it won’t be good enough or even recognized.

For my last birthday my brother made my birthday card.  It was the best gift I’ve ever gotten from him.  It cost him nothing, except time and some colored pencil lead.  He drew scenes from our childhood, complete with bubble quotes.  Us fighting over the TV remote control, us running through the woods and coming across a snake, us going to cut down a Christmas tree with our family… It was a romantic gift…I know that sounds weird; he’s my brother.  It’s not incest or inappropriate.  But it was evidence of the romance that’s in him, and I believe in every man. 

 

My brother the romantic.

Then there was my Uncle Jack.  We went to stay with him for a couple weeks, very unexpected.  We only had the outfit we were wearing when we arrived.  He took us to Wal-mart and bought us some clothes to wear while we stayed with him; he saw a need and rose to the occasion.  …he also used his bread machine and baked us bread, really good bread.  My grandpa (Pop, I called him) used to drive me by the castle in Lexington so I could see it when I visited.  He knew I liked it and so he saw to it.  A guy I worked with in Georgia would pump my gas for me anytime I was driving us somewhere.  He said his momma raised him right.  I smiled and let him pump my gas while I sat in the car.  My boss in Georgia threw me an amazing going away party…contacted my mother and had her send him photos of me growing up to put in a slide show, took me to the lovely lunch jive that had my favorite chicken salad sandwich and surprised me with Skymiles to travel (I love to travel) and a computer, something he knew I needed, especially if I was going to go back to school.  A few of the other guys went in together and got me a cross necklace…said, they wanted to give me something reflective of what I’d meant to them.  Then in France, one of the missionary kids spent time carefully drawing my name in Hebrew, and timidly gave it to me.  I love it, even now.  All romantic, every last one of them, in their own unique way. 

Ladies, we’ve got to take the time to see it in the men in our lives.  Whether they function in it the way we imagine or not, they are romantic. And then, we need to esteem them for it.  They are the image bearer of the God that has so perfectly romanced us…their potential is limitless. 

Men, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.  It just has to be an expression of the qualities that God’s already placed in you…purposeful, passionate, creative, real, sacrificial, etc.  You are romantic and don’t let us or anyone else tell you any different.

~ by Kara Belcher on February 19, 2008.