No Prolonged Infancies, Please!

"No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." Ephesians 4:14, The Message

One of the worst attributes of US culture is the exultation and celebration of prolonged adolescence. Look at the sitcom plots -- many are about 20-40 year old singles who are still acting as self-absorbed teenagers. Look at the demands on state and federal governments -- take care of us! Look at the attitudes towards men -- generally the same as teenagers have towards any parent or authority figure.

Men, let's work in our families to help our children become youth who become functional adults. Let us celebrate adulthood and speak positively about shouldering responsibilities and leading and focusing on others first. These are good things, worth aspiring to!