Pastor Pusch

“Bro Color Day” Sparks Invaluable Discussion

In what areas do men need help?

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking in this area. Everyone remembers the “bra color day” fiasco that took place on facebook last week. I suppose there were both pros and cons to the “awareness” factor. Yes, it got a lot of people talking, however, the talk was not all about breast cancer.

I had my own reaction to the “bra color day” when I first learned about what the colors women around the world were posting. I asked a friend of mine, a pastors wife, what the colors mean. She indicated that she could not tell, but only to say that it was a girl thing. I immediately thought this must have something to do with the color of underwear. I thought this for two reasons, 1. I had real doubt that the privacy had anything to do with their color shirt or ink pen, 2. I am a man.

Just yesterday a friend of mine who pastors a church in Alabama called me and asked me my opinion concerning the question mentioned above. He’s working on graduate studies project. My guess is thatit primarily deals with men as they interact with the ever-changing culture. I did not give much thought to the “bra color day” on facebook until I hung up the phone.

In what areas to men need help and/or accountability? There were several I spoke with in regards to “bra color day” who opposed it because they thought it was inappropriate and TMI (too much information) especially for their husbands to see. One friend mentioned that she simply told her husband not to go on facebook that day. She did not want for her husband to see what color bras his friends were wearing. That is certainly understandable.

My intent with this post is not to rehash the “bra color day” debate; we have already had that discussion. However the recent event best illustrates what I am after. Where do men need help? In what areas? One suggested that men need mentor. I agree, but in what areas? I am looking for more specific answers. I would like to hear from both men and women on this one. The benefits of this subject is invaluable. Won’t you help a brother out?

Thanks -
PastorPusch

Dickens wrote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was the season of Light, it was the season of darkness… it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”

It seems that over the last year my family has experienced both sides of the emotional, mental, and physical spectrum that Dickens penned in the opening line of his classic title  A Tale of Two Cities. However, to bring the last 12 months to summation, I would have to say, we experienced the greatest of times showered only by the grace of God.

June 2009 proved to be a trying time in our family as we had to take our daughter Jovie in for surgery to repair her cleft palate. While Jovie was clueless to the situation, Rena and I were charting new and unexpected territory. This was perhaps the most difficult process to endure. We had complete confidence in Jovie’e care, but it was still my little baby girl who had to suffer. I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy and happiness Jovie Madelyn has brought to our home. We released Jovie into the arms of the surgeon with indescribable feelings swinging back and forth between hope and despair. Today, Jovie is doing extremely well and has not experienced any further problems. Grace.

July 2009 we learned that Jovie was going to be a big sister. Overall we were excited about receiving another gift of God, but it would be a complete lie if I told you that we did not experience feelings of another kind as we wondered whether or not we were ready for child number 2 after all we have experienced with number 1. Today, we are within 6 weeks of delivery, and words would fail to describe the great anticipation we feel as we wait for the arrival of Jovie’s little sister. Grace.

September 2009 taught us unforgettable lessons. Two seizures landed me in the hospital for a series of tests that brought forth darkening results. After reviewing the results, doctors wasted no time scheduling surgery. After surgery, recovery was a challenge. From anxiety to full mental breakdown, I experienced everything in between. Thankfully I have been taken off the medications that caused such instability. The pathology reports all came back the same week of surgery. Today, all is well. What was thought to be a low grade brain tumor with malignant activity is no longer. I am taking 1 medication with little to no side effects (for only 6 more months) and to this day all of my scans have come back clean and clear. A miracle for sure. Grace.

It is not like we have not seen God’s hand at work in our lives before, it just 2009 has been a year like none other. Words fail to describe how grateful we are as a family. God continues to mold us and shape us. He has given us new perspective and we enter 2010 with great anticipation thankful for all that He has done and will continue to do. While 2009 brought with it great trials and heartache, I can say for me, it was indeed the “best of times.” Grace.

“And the God of all grace…will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11

Blessings,
PastorPusch

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