Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Chilvary: Dead or Alive

Most of the time, I think I am someone that can believe that there are still good men in this world. Granted, it took me most of college to believe I could trust men, but I never doubted that good men existed.

I have thought however in the last few years, that they seem to be a dying breed. Men of courage, men that lead, men that stick up for what's right, men that follow through with what they say they will do. With the number of men that don't have great father figures and the gender confusion that seems to be happening all around me, with more video games than building tree houses, and more entitlement than humility, I sometimes get stuck in a rut that chivalry, just might be...(gasp)... dead?! My sister along with multiple other women I know have sworn on multiple occasions that chivalrous, good men, do not exist anymore. Are we jaded or is it true?

I mean, according to dictionary.com, chiv·al·ry means the following:


1.the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.
2.the rules and customs of medieval knighthood.
3.the medieval system or institution of knighthood.
4. a group of knights.
5. gallant warriors or gentlemen
Interesting right? I mean besides those reenactment groups for the Medieval times or Rennasaince festivals, rarely do I see a group of 'knights' strolling around my neighborhood rescuing damsels in distress, fighting off dragons, or lifting intensely heavy swords to fight evil with. 
However, I love the first definition and the qualifications of a knight : Courtesy, generosity, valor and dexterity in arms... (anyone else want to chuckle with me over that last one? haha, I seriously laughed out loud when I read that).
However, even though there aren't droves of  knights walking around acting all knightly and such, I think, how fitting that there are not. These kind of men are few and far between and should be. Their rarity makes them all the more honorable.

So, with that said, I have witnessed modern day knights the last few weeks that are worth mentioning and have given me a renewed hope that chivalry is far from dead. Here's to you valiant men, that have made an impression on me that there are still good men out there and have made me even more encouraged to not settle for anyone less than knight-quality.

* Here, here...To the pizza waiter that took the time and effort to walk my friend and I to our cars in the downpour by releasing an outdoor umbrella from its stand, fording a river in the middle of the parking lot, and getting soaked in the process.

* Cheers to the many men the last few weeks that have courteously opened doors, carried boxes to and from my car, helped me move extremely heavy furniture from my apartment to my new place with their "dexterity of arms' and all with a smile and a willing heart to do so.

*Shout out to the multiple  men in the college ministry that have invited girls to bible studies and events with the only intention of wanting them to experience joy and growth in Christ. Who have had the courage to say no to late night study sessions to guard women's hearts more than the women even know they need. And have said we will live different from the world to show that chivalry is still alive and well.
Men of Chivalry, I salute you. And thank you. For setting the bar and giving me a reminder that their are still knights in undercover armor that exist today. For being courageous, strong, valiant. For fighting dragons that say being a gentleman is old fashion. For being the example.

This blog brought to you in part by the pizza guy's wet shoes.