Dear Fellow Man

Dear Fellow Man,

Such a start to a letter could feel generic, presumptuous, or philosophical, or all of those things.  I’m not wanting to address all of humanity, just you, as a fellow guy. I’m writing partly because letters feel more uncommon these days. I realize this is electronic, so not near as gratifying as finding an unexpected square envelope scrawled with your name. Even still, maybe there’s some merit in this surprise post - even if it finds your inbox instead of your mailbox. 

I write not to offer advice. Too often those catchy little cliches offer the nourishment of a sweet and low packet. Best to keep them for Instagram Posts with sunset backgrounds. I write because I know your days aren’t easy. Check engine lights, W-2’s, and your child’s basketball practices fill the to-do list. Deeper questions, like “who gets your best,” linger at the edges of your mind, waiting like some nocturnal predator to pace your thoughts. You wonder if your fathering extends beyond the shouted reminder to put on a coat as your kids race out the door into single digit temperatures. You feel the frustration of recognizing your rough edges - when a simple critique or an undone task stokes the embers of anger you thought were long put out. 

And, threaded alongside those fraying questions and doubts, runs goodness:

The joy derived from your kid’s invented game of throwing stuffed animals into the exposed corner between couches. 

A sincere text from one you love. 

Faint pink scattered across the morning sky like the last mist from a can of spray paint. 

Of course you see through me. These observations and questions are only offered because they’re true of me. Perhaps the letter should be addressed to me instead. But that seems to break some unwritten rule of letter-writing. 

So what do we do? How do we hold pressure and doubt alongside unyielding goodness? I have no three point action plan. I worry any response will dilute and repackage someone else’s wisdom. So I’ll share direct words from John O’Donohue, Morgan Snyder, and Chris Bruno:

“You are able for this.”

“You are not late. You are on-time.” 

“The question is not whether you have what it takes. The question is are you awake to the power and presence already imprinted in you by God.” 

Fellow man - may you and I step into this fraying but beautiful day, receiving these words in new and needed ways. 

Until next time,

Jesse French
Executive Director