As you can tell, I’m trying to get back into the rhythm of writing more, so I’m rejoining the link up over at Mrsdisciple.com. Today’s prompt for the Friday Five is Men I admire. I should have started last week – her prompt was women I admire, but since I’m constantly talking about those women out there that I follow, we’ll start here.
I’ve decided to take some liberty with this week’s prompts – I’m choosing characteristics of men I admire. This is not to say that the list I include within each category only fit into that category, but they are the people who I think really encompass these traits that I admire. These will be both people I know in real life (whose last names I’ll leave out for privacy purposes) and those who I follow online. So without further ado:
Friday Five: Five (Types of) Men I Admire:
World Changers
I admire men in this world who are trying to leave their spheres of influence better than how they found them. They know that they have influence and power and they use it to challenge the way we see the world. I admire this because I aim to do this as well and I’ve learned from all of these men in one way or another. Included in this category: my dear friend Dominique who challenges me daily to be better. Propaganda. Cameron Strang.
Artists (mostly Music)
I’ve always had an admiration for people who are creative. I love artists who can take their craft and create something worth listening to, looking at, watching … I admire people who use honesty and vulnerability to create something beautiful. Of course this includes Ben Rector, Matt Wertz, Lin Manuel Miranda, the men of The Fray.
Good Fathers/Husbands
This category I can only fill with people I do know. I think it’s hard to look at people you don’t know and say that they are really good at this, but I also think it’s been so important for me to see what this looks like. As someone who grew up with a complicated relationship with her own father, I really value the people in my life who have retaught me what it looks like to have a healthy marriage and a positive relationship with their kids. This list is long, which is only to say that I have been blessed to be surrounded by some of the best men (and women) there are out there. This includes both Papa Curt and Kurt, both Tims, Fredrik, Chris, Lee, Mark, Nate, Gary, both Adams, Tyler… the list could go on and on and on…
Pastors
I obviously learn a lot from other pastors who have taught me what it means to be in this role. It’s one of those types of positions where everyone who holds it is the same but at the same time so vastly different. I have learned a lot from past mentors, colleagues and others who have poured into me. This includes Curt, Tim, Nate, Mark, Russ, Bill, Josh, Nate, Paul, other Tim, Eric and countless others.
Authors/Teachers
Lastly, those who I aspire to be like in my writing and teaching. Men who have taken topics and given them life through words and deed. This includes Brandon Hatmaker, Donald Miller, Nathan Albert, Klyne Snodgrass, Soong-Chan Rah, James Bruckner. Some of those men I now personally but I want you to read there stuff or take their classes, so I’m including their full names.