My Brother's Keeper

Where are the men?

Hope we learn from this story... I call it The PLUMB PARACHUTE...

Charles Plumb was a fighter pilot in Vietnam. After dozens of combat missions, a missile destroyed his plane. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy territory. He was captured and spent six years in a Vietnamese prison. He survived that ordeal and now lectures about lessons learned from that experience. One of his favorite stories illustrates the importance of seemingly small contributions.


One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!" "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "I packed your parachute," the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did – if your 'chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. He thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each parachute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, on his speaking tour, Plumb asks his audience, “Who's packing your parachute?”

We all have someone who provides what we need to make it through the day. Who is counting on you to lend a hand or otherwise support their efforts? Perhaps more importantly, have you thanked those individuals who have contributed to your success?
 
At the end of the day we should be able to ask ourself this simple question: AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER OR AM I MY BROTHERS KILLER?

Where are the men?

I have from time to time asked myself a question where are the men. I grew up without a father and as a boy it was never easy. Raised by a woman who never understood what boys go through in their puberty stages is never an easy thing. My mother did a fine job by raising all by herself. I continually asked myself where is my father. I looked everywhere hoping that someone would recognise me as his son but none did. Today we still see men who abandon their offspring without an acceptable reason. Some are dragged to the maintenance courts to support their seed. The question still stand where are the men?

Our little boys are turning into monsters we will never be able to tame, just because men are absent. Today women are forced to be strong whereas they were never intended to be strong. How are we going to have a nation or perhaps a society of boys who are so eager to become responsible men if men are not acting to what they have been called to? Our boys and women need strong men who will stand in the gap. Not mighty men in terms of fists and weapons, but men who are strong at heart and character. Men who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of others.

Indeed today we are clouded with men with selfish desires, men who would do anything to see their fellow man suffering. Back to the topic, where are men when our country is turning into a greedy and corrupt community? Where are the men when our boys are getting destroyed in drugs(i.e. nyaope, dagga, tik, alcohol)? Where are men when poor little girls get raped? Where are men when women get beaten like punching bags? Do we still have men? Do we still have men who stand for what is right?

This is a message to all men...
WHERE ARE YOU?