The Way of the Wild Heart

Some thoughts and what I've learned over the last few days while reading The Way of the Wild Heart.

"...a man's life is a process of initiation into true masculinity. It is a series of stages we soak in and progress through."

I've been giving a lot of thought to these stages. I've had a lot of questions reguarding these stages. Let me explain first, in Eldredge's words, what they look like in this book.

Boyhood- A time of exploring. A boy needs to know he is prized and delighted in. He wonders if he has "what it takes".
Cowboy- A time of adventure. The boy is tested, this is a time of learning and doing, of hunting, building, and of hard work. He learns he does have "what it takes".
Warrior- He encounters evil and learns to defeat it. He most often cannot be strayed from his mission. Whatever the mission may be, it is important and he learns to defeat the enemy.
Lover- A lover comes to offer his strength to his woman, not get it from her. At this time he discovers music, literature, poetry, and passion.
King- When a man is ready to rule a kingdom. This is the time for him to draw in young warriors and be a mentor and a father to them.
Sage- An elder. Steps down as king and is an influencer. This can be the stage with the most contribution.

As I've thought and thought about all these stages of a man, I think about the boys and men I know. I think about friends, relatives, co-workers, cousins...I think about the stage they're in and the things Eldredge says about the stages being incomplete. ("Unfinished men- any stage cut short, leaving a man with an undeveloped soul". ) I think about a father leaving a boy as head of the house so he can go live with his "other wife", I think about the boys of my generation that have had to deal with divorce and cheating and affairs and frankly, a lot of pain and hurt of all sorts. I didn't realize it then, but they're impacting my generation more than they are aware. I pray for them more while reading Eldredge's books than ever before.

This brings me to my final thought for the evening. Today I visited my parent's church. I haven't been there in probably years. I was overcome with feelings of welcomness and joy. I spoke with a woman whom I used to babysit for. She told me she and her kids pray for me (to find a husband) everyday on their way to school. I couldn't help but laugh, but thinking about that the rest of today really did put a smile of my face. Someone whom I haven't seen in years is praying for ME. How cool is that?
Seeing all these wonderful people I went to church with for quite a few years sure brought back a lot of...feelings. I see my old Jr. High kids from the youth group, where I invested 3 years of my life as a college student and beyond, and I can't help but approach them and see if they're happy in life. I want to know they are following Christ and I want to know they are well. I INVESTED my life into those kids...and darn-it, I want to know it counted! It seems to have come full-circle. When I see my old sunday school teachers, helpers and greeters, they want to know I am well. I thought they were grilling me and I always hated telling them about where I was, how I was, what I was doing, and where I was working....but now, I finally understand! They invested in me, and want to know I am following Him. They want to know I am happy and well. I am not embarassed or nervous anymore when I tell them (with a smile on my face) that I am well!

Seems I've learned enough for today. More later,
-K