It’s what we have been praying for, working toward, and spending so much of our time on for the past (almost) 16 years.
It was after God gave us “Boy Number Three” that we were suddenly struck with the realization that His intention wasn’t just for us to raise boys that were nice, clean, and well-behaved. It wasn’t just about surviving each day with a bunch of little ones – feeding them, stopping them from breaking a lamp as they jumped off the furniture, and keeping crust from forming under their noses.
“Boy Number Three”, which had followed “Boy Number One” and “Boy Number Two” (and who would be followed in a few years by “Boy Number Four”), seemed to come with a loud and clear announcement from God. Indeed, it was as though this child had a gift tag attached to his toe which read, “I have given you all these boys so that you can raise godly leaders for my church.”
At that point in our lives, I would have to say that my focus as a parent changed. God gives us all this purpose as we raise our children. I am so thankful He made this so clear to me that winter afternoon in 2002 while I was marveling at our newest baby boy.
Our four boys are far from perfect – a direct result of imperfect parenting. Without a doubt, the good I see in my children comes directly from the Lord, who loves them more than I – a fact that amazes me, seeing as I love them so much I can’t even breathe. I love seeing who our boys are becoming both because of our parenting choices and in spite of our parenting choices. (Thank you, God, for grace!)
Here is Asa (all 6’2″ of him) among several in our church family who went on a mission trip last week.
They are posing in front of the house they painted. A job well done!
Here is Justus painting a house during the mission trip last week.
It is great that our boys got such good practice since our house is in the middle of being painted too… :)
I am so thankful for the time God has given Matt and me to be with and to guide our boys. I’m thankful for our church family, for those who mentor our boys, and for their peers who offer meaningful friendship. My heart overflows tonight with who my boys are becoming. It is a joy to be a part of this journey.
Share how God is working in your life on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for! Please read through the Gratituesday Guidelines so that you understand what kinds of posts you can link up to share here. Posts that are linked but do not fit our Gratituesday theme will be deleted.
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Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
Brooke says
Laura, as a mom of three little girls, I thank you! I was talking to Larry about this again the other day, About how we need to continue to pray for the man that God will bless each of my daughters with. It seems like a solid Christian man is few and far between. I thank you, each of you with young men who are raising you boys up to love and dead The Lord!
I am so thankful that God blesses me with his Grace, like you said. Because I too need lots of grace daily as I do my best to raise my girls to love The Lord, and prepare them to one day be a wife and mother as God intends.
Heather says
AS a mother of 4 young boys (7, 6, 3, 1) I am grateful for encouragement from another mother of 4 boys. Lord knows I can use it from all directions so my tiny men can grow up to be God fearing men. I earnestly pray for wisdom in this task :) God bless!
Wendy says
Came on over tonight to link up my grateful post, and was tremendously blessed by what you shared today. When I received boy number one I thought, “A SON!”, Boy number two filled my heart with the words, “BROTHERS!” And boy number three, likewise, came with a charge quite similar to yours, “you’re not raising boys… you’re raising men!”
Thanks for using the pictures of them painting homes, to paint a picture for us ladies just a few steps behind you, to “not grow weary when doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart!”
Grateful for you.
Kayla says
I have 5 children. The first two are boys, and the last three are girls! We are a homeschooling family, and my children amaze me everyday. I often think that my two boys 9 & 8 are learning to be good husbands and fathers. They are so helpful with their sisters. My girls are learning to be good wives and mothers. We have started recently where each child has a night to cook dinner, and they are really really enjoying that! I am so thankful that God has given our family the opportunity to homeschool. It is encouraging to see other like minded Christians out there! There is hope that there are parents who hold the same values and morals as our family does!
BTW: Since we are talking about Gratituesday, I wanted to say that I received a phone call this evening that Azure Standard is coming to our area….. finally!!!!!!! I must confess I did a happy dance!
God Bless!
Judith at WholeHearted Home says
Thanks for hosting today!!
Jessica says
such a wonderful post as I sat and cried over my little boy yesterday who just couldn’t seem to obey once….. the day will come that I too can say what you did above.
Jill Roper says
Laura, I remember that epiphany you had because it was in Security CO! Good memories sister. My emotions are so raw today, we launched our last baby. You will recognize some of the young men God has given us on my blog today. Love you and thank you for hosting.
OneMommy says
Sounds like you are raising some terrific men!
Audrey says
As a Mom and Grandmom I can identify with what you have shared. May we all endeavor to raise godly children in this increasingly sinful world.
Janine says
In a world where Dads are made to look like an insignificant nuisance and boys made to look dumb and inferior, it is so important to teach boys today that they are so much more. They can do things for God’s kingdom here on earth that women just can not. And where would we be without dad! So happy, always to find posts like this where boys are being raised to love God and serve him faithfully. Thanks for sharing. I have shared a bit about weathering the storms here in Tornado alley in faith. Let the storms come, I will persevere.
Andrea Stonecipher says
Laura, This is one more way that you have blessed my life! It always reassures me when I see or hear of parents putting so much into raising their boys to be Godly men in an ungodly world! As a mother of two girls, I completely agree with Brooke’s comment above!!
Ronnie Condron says
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. As the Grandma in a combined household my husband and I along with our daughter (MOM) and her husband (DAD)are all working together to raise our two beautiful granddaughters to be all that God would have them to be. Baby number 3 is on the way and whether girl or boy we too will have a part in leading them to one day do their part in Kingdom work. Thank you God for refocusing my eyes to see what is truly important.
Shelly says
I so appreciate your humility. You do so many things right to the point that it exhausts me trying to emulate your great example. But you’re still so humble and quick to always give the glory to God, as we all should. Thanks for you blog and wonderful, grateful, inspiring posts like this.
Charlotte Moore says
So good to see others wanting their boys and girls to be what they need to be. So many have no morals at all. So sad to se all the sinful stuff going on in this world.
So grateful for GOD’S GRACE!!!
Lisa says
What a blessing! Our daughter just turned one. I had a moment to breathe and think the other day (rare!) and realized that I had been so focused on simply surviving the first year that I hadn’t thought much about the big picture of parenting her. It’s overwhelming for sure, but I am grateful to be on this journey with my husband.