The Provider...

So thinking about manhood and the role of the husband or male in a relationship (thanks Frat Advance), I began to think about being "the provider". That's a big deal yet it's been minimized to simply being the provider of money for the family. In hearing discussions on a male being the provider for their family, its often scaled down to a provider of money. So much to the point where men, and even women, feel as the main qualification for a husband is one with a job making more than their female counterpart or being the "breadwinner" of the home. While it's important to have that desire to contribute, is financial provision the extent of that man role?

"The provider" truly involves so much more. Take for example, Abraham calling God "Jehovah Jireh", or God our Provider. Abraham clearly wasn't naming God the character of "the Provider" simply for monetary provision. God was the provider of a ram to sacrifice in the place of Abraham's son.

Alot of times as men, the meter for if she's THE ONE is if she's willing to give everything for her man. It's selfishly motivated. It's valued by, if she's the ride-or-die chick. We fall in love with the woman who we find is willing to give everything for their man, much like Abraham was willing to give his most prized possession (his son) up for God. We'd leave all the player days, dating days, and childish games to the boys and be ready to settle when we find the one who's willing to do that. But then are we keen enough to see the opportunity to provide the ram in order to protect our counterpart from the hurt, pain, and emotions of losing something of value?

Our calling as men and as a husband is a calling to sacrifice. Be the ram in the bush. Be the reflection of Christ in the marraige. Christ died in order to reconcile relationship between man and God. Having the trait of a willingness to represent God's love through a willingness to sacrifice all, even life, for the reconciliation of relationship. It's our role to be sensitive to the needs of the household, and be "the provider" of that need. Everyone's needs are different in every household...the question is, can you be the provider for your unique home and relationship?

So when I think of "the provider", the question is, how much am I willing to sacrifice to provide money? How much am I willing to sacrifice to provide protection? How much am I willing to sacrifice to provide food? "The provider" role his HUGE! The maturity of a man preparing for marriage can be valued through self-introspection. Now that I'm engaged and getting ready for marriage, as soon as I "put the ring on her",I've gotten so many questions from frat and friends (as though at 26 I'm the expert on relationships...lol), asking how do you know when your ready? Or how do you know when you've found the right one? Or how do you prepare for marriage? Fellas, I'm learning that self introspection is the way to start. You're not ready until you're in a place where your willing to sacrifice all, including your life, for the woman that you love.