Mondays at the Well - Raising Boys

I like to check in on a blogroll for women called "At the Well - In Pursuit of Titus 2". This week, the theme is actually the verses in Titus 2 directed toward men, and how to raise up Godly young men:

"...encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Titus 2:6-8

Lori, from "I will take it Lord, all You have to give", the host for this week, asked some very specific questions:

As a woman at the well, you'll be meeting women who are trying to raise Godly men. These boys they are raising will grow up to marry your daughters or become leaders in your community.

What advice would you give to them?

If you are raising boys, what areas concern you most? If don't have or haven't raised boys, what is your concern for boys in today's culture?

If you are raising girls, what is your prayer for the "boys" in her life?

And as I've thought about these questions, the biggest realization that has come to me is how much having boys has taught me about the Lord - and how small my own wisdom is in regard to raising these future men. I really feel that I don't have any advice to offer, but lots to glean from more experienced, wiser women.

I have learned (and am learning daily) that being a mom really, truely does require giving my children back to the Lord. There are SO many areas of life that await a young man in this world which concern me. I could fret and worry and stress, all day and all night, about what the future holds for my precious blessings, and often I do.

What I need to do more of is pray - Release them to the Lord in prayer, trust Him for His perfect plan for each of their lives, and then obey Him as He leads me to mother them in the way He lays out for me. I also pray for my husband, as their main role model of a Godly man and husband. And then I love them, and allow the love of the Lord shine through my love and service to them. Those are the only things *I* can do to raise my boys to be men who love and serve the Lord - the rest is in His hands.

I can assure you, however, that a mother's influence in the lives of her sons is no small thing - I greatly understand the weight of my presence - which is one of the biggest reasons I stay at home and we homeschool. But there is no burden too heavy for the Lord, and I know that He is with me along this journey of raising little boys into full grown men. And without Him, it is impossible. "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27