What separates men from boys? The obvious answer is maturity. But what exactly does maturity look like? We think of boys as being young and small and men as full grown and strong.

Is there more to maturity than physical size and age? I submit to you that there is considerably more for us to consider when we think in the right terms. To be physically mature, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually immature is indicative of the need for learning and growing to view life from a manly perspective.

Hundreds of years ago a wise man wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways”. Often we see boys who are physically grown behave as if they were still in elementary school. Looking at some of the off the field antics of NFL football players points to just such a condition. When a boy treats a girl like a play thing, instead of another human made in the image of God, he is openly expressing himself in childish ways.

When a boy matures physically, but attempts to view the world around him as his playground, he will face hardships and frustrations that may call for counsel and guidance from older men who have faced similar experiences. Knowing that one has needs which he cannot solve himself is a sign of a maturing mind and heart. Another wise scholar wrote, “Fools despise wisdom and instruction. A wise man will hear and increase in learning.”

The Resource Center for Pregnancy and Physical Health is continually serving as a refuge for women in crisis, whether she is dealing with a pregnancy or a physical disease. Our women counselors are bringing care, counseling, wisdom and love to women in need, and the stories of healing are many and extremely encouraging.

The Resource Center also has men available to meet with other men who are in crisis or just in need of some fatherly advice. We encourage you men to consider our availability as we offer our time and our life experience to help you through any need that is troubling you. Acknowledging one’s need is not a weakness; it is actually a mature perspective.