Raising Men

"We are not raising little boys. We are raising men."

 

 

The first time I read that quote I immediately didn't like it. Don't get me wrong  I pray for my boys to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally. I desire for them to become God-fearing, honorable, trustworthy men. That is, after all, the ultimate goal of this whole parenting gig. We are entrusted with these little people who change our world and in turn we are responsible for guiding, teaching, and shaping them into adults. My head knows all that. It just doesn't want to tell my heart. In my heart, they will always be my babies. Small enough to fit in my lap and willing to hold my hand.

 

But I know truth when I see it. We don't need our little boys to become bigger boys. We need them to become men.

 

So...how do we raise our buys to become adults? We pray (A LOT), we teach them the Word of God, we take them to church, and we live the lives we want them to mimic. What a tremendous calling!

My boys are so very observant. They do not miss anything (sometimes we wish they would!) Our lives are a stage and they are our constant audience. The only difference is we never get an intermission and they are well aware of what happens backstage. Their is no putting up a front with these little guys. They see the real deal.

 

I was very convicted recently by my 2 year old. As a norm, I read and study my Bible when they are asleep. (We read theirs to them but I do my quiet time when things are well......quiet.) This may seem like the best thing, but I have discovered that I was taking the complete wrong approach. I had checked out a paperback from the church library. It was a fabulous Christian fiction book. (Yes, I am trying to make myself feel better!) Anyways, it was beside me on the couch and Myers said, "That's mommy's Bible." NOOOOOO! This is just a book mommy is reading. Moment of truth. I NEED to read my Bible in front of my kids. Telling them is not good enough. They need to see me studying HIS Word.

 

I am so thankful for my husband. These boys have the absolute best example of a Christian man. He is true to the core, always involved, and constantly teaching them about Christ's love. I thank God for his leadership in our lives.

 

Kevin doesn't like this song, but I can't help but think of him everytime I hear it.

 





 

"He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you"