Many times in my 64 years of life I’ve declared ”he’s a good man”. Well, I ask you – what is a good man?
Is a good man someone who opens doors for the elderly? Is a good man someone who cares passionately about his children, his faith, his community? Is a good man someone who dies protecting his wife? Yes, yes, and yes.
Can good men correct their mistakes and still live good lives? Yes.
I had many friends in Special Forces who sacrificed much to be good soldiers. In the theology schools I attended there were many men who wanted to be good men in the service of God.
And yet in America we seem to have forgotten that there exist good men. Why?
In part because we men have failed to live our lives honorably. When we have made mistakes, we have not corrected them quickly enough or perhaps not at all. We have forgotten the immeasurable privelege of being a good man and the responsibilities that come with being such a man.
In part because it is popular to ridicule men; that men are hapless fools. I declare to you, America, that this country is overflowing with good men. They are everywhere, in every walk of life; they are uncountable.
In Tucson this week we saw a 76 year old man throw himself on top of his wounded wife to save her life. How can we not remember these countless acts of goodness?
American women are equally good and brave but I can only speak about being a man. I am a passionate and courageous man who has failed as often as any man. I failed my family by not being a very good provider.
Can I try to become a better man? Yes. Is there any time this side of death’s door when a man cannot try to be a better man – a good man? No.
As I write, I have tears running down my manly cheeks thinking of this gentleman in Tucson and of my children with whom I always be madly in love.
I want to be a good man. I want to do right. And there are countless millions of us who do.
Help us, ladies, and help us, God, to be good men. To do what is right and thoughtful and courageous. I think American men can be tremendously good.
We just need to be reminded of the overwhelming birthright we have. What a privelege it is to be a good man.
Even if nobody tells us “you’re a good man” we will try to be good men. When we die, we will rest in peace; cheering on any man who wants to be – a good man.
only a good man could think of this