Return of the Authenticity!

He said... To start off, I would like to recognize some fantastic contributions that have been made to our blog.  I thank all those who have taken the time to contribute and comment on our reflections.  This is the sort of interaction that makes our discussion rich and educational for all of us.

Dear "She"... I hope the weather is nice in Atlanta.  The weather man is calling for snowstorms this week here in the mountains. 

I like your reflections on masculinity and how women can contribute or detract from authentic masculinity.  I would like to focus some further reflection on your conjecture that "it is that women have the ability to build men up to be virtuous or to lead them astray". 

I could not agree more with you... and I believe that herein lies the essence of your most recent thesis.  My belief is that both men and women are called to a relationship of service and support the one toward the other.  So when one asks, what is the proper relationship of a woman toward a man, I would say the proper relationship is one of service, as would be the proper relationship of the same man toward a woman. 

When I read your line "it is that women have the ability to build men up to be virtuous or to lead them astray", I immediately thought of St. Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, one of the great doctors and foremost theologians in the history of Western Civilization.  St. Monica is attributed with being perhaps the single greatest instrument in bringing about the conversion of Augustine from the truest forms of paganism.  With her prayers and pious example she was a true servant to St. Augustine.   She served him by helping him to grow in holiness and wisdom.  Other great examples can be found in more modern days as well... Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Reagan... Condoleza Rice (these are just a few that come to mind quickly).  The saying goes, behind every great man there is a great woman.  A woman's beauty in its truest form inspires a man to pursue greatness...