She just turned eighteen and was given free tickets to a concert. All of her friends decided to meet at her house to get ready for the night ahead. They curled her long blonde hair and bought her a white sun dress that went with her newly bought cowboy boots. They rented a limo service and arrived at the concert a little after start time. There, they met a few guys that were older and offered her a beer. She had never tried alcohol before but she liked the guys, so she decided to give it a shot. After a long night at the concert, she woke up the next morning with bruises on her arms and in hotel room no where near home. Is this story familiar? Is this a story you have heard before? Unfortunately, it is a story that is becoming more and more common in this day and age.

The older I have become and the more TV I watch, the more frequently abuse seems to rise to the surface in America. It is a word that is often heard but not a word taken seriously. The time has come for men to take a stand against brutality facing women.

Personally, I am over the word abuse. If I have to hear it or witness it one more time I may vomit. Abuse is seen all over the television whether you decide to watch sports or the local news. I am in no place to say that I am an expert on female abuse because I've only heard the news, stories and listened to personal testimonies.

If a girl doesn't want to dance, why is the first reaction to hit her? If a girl doesn't want to talk, why is the first reaction to push her? If a girl is stranded and needs help, why is the first reaction to rape her? If a girl doesn't listen, why is the first reaction to yell at her? These are tough matters to swallow but swallow them nonetheless.

Again, I am no expert on the matter, but if anything I hope to encourage men to continue to live a life that honors and respects women.

I challenge each and every one of us to be a man of character. Let's be men that would do anything to protect a girl instead of hurting her. Let's be men of self-control. Let's be men of self-discipline. Let's be men that we would want our daughter to marry. Let's be men that chase after the girl instead of expecting the girl to come to us. Let's be men who hold the door for her and make her feel special instead of like a person we're just dragging around. Let's be leaders in all aspects because that is how God designed us to be. I understand it can be hard, and I know it's not always popular, but today is the day we change our perspective of women.

I understand that it's not always our fault but regardless of the situation, men need to take 100 percent responsibility for our own actions. In order to be great leaders, we need to be the ones saying no and we need to be the ones setting our own standard; not conforming to the standards of the world or what they have to tell us on TV. I believe the world would be a better place if men start leading and are the one's saying no instead of waiting for her to say it. Let's set our own limits and take initiative in the relationship to avoid these issues. Let's be men who go against the grain and create a culture that doesn't allow abuse in any way, shape or form.

God Bless.