This is a huge responsibility, this raising of boys.
We are raising the next generation of leaders
We are raising future husbands and fathers.
We are raising boys that will someday have a wife that they need to love, cherish, respect, and adore.
We are showing them, with our love, how to be a team.
How to talk to one another.
Do they see us respecting one another in our disagreements, in our struggles?
Do they see us pray when times get tough and the world is a mess around us?
Do they see us seek joy and praise Him even when we weep?
We are teaching them to treat women with respect, can you see boys, how your Daddy respects me?
How he still, after these almost 9 years of marriage, dates me, surprises me, adores me….
We are teaching them to treat girls, and women well.
In an age where girls flaunt themselves like pieces of property
and disrespect themselves by the clothes they wear,
the words they say and the actions they take…
How do we raise these boys to close their eyes to that, to refrain from that?
How do we teach them to resist those temptations, to stand firm and wait?
To keep themselves until that day they walk down the altar.
In an age where men have been asked to become less than,
how do we teach them to be bold leaders and take the charge and be strong and manly?
We pray, we pray a prayer of desperation….
Guard their hearts, their minds, their bodies.
Put your family first, your job is second.
God should be at the center.
You need to lead, don’t let others tell you different.
You were made to be the leader, don’t let this world strip you of your manhood and become something less than intended.
Do you see how we protect our family?
Do you see how we spend time with friends and family and do life with others?
Do you see how being a part of a community is important?
I know that you are not mine.
You are HIS and He has lent you to me, to us, expecting great things from your Daddy and I….
as we did not bring your into this world on a whim…but prayed and ached for you all.
Knowing the responsibility and seeing it before our eyes are two different things. Such a heavy load to bear.
So do it. Get dirty, be noisy.
Don’t sit still, don’t be quiet.
Be loud, make a mess, jump from high places, push the limits….be wild.
Be a boy.
My heart prays you turn out just like your Daddy.
The example he has set before you…follow it.
Do you know how blessed you are to have him as your example?
I breathe a little easier, knowing this.
My tender, over-protecting heart asks God,
“Why did you give me boys?”
These people that need to be let free…
These little ones who will soon let go of me, to cling to their Daddy more.
Oh, if I could only wrap you in my arms and protect you from it all…..
But then, you would not accomplish what He intends for you.
Those battles, those tests…they will make you stronger.
How to pray for that? To pray for hardship and trial so that you will see Him, and see what He has done for you.
That is a hard prayer….
We will not always do it the right way, we will fail you.
But He will not.
By: Krystle Bowen, 3 Little Men & a Mommy
Leave a Comment
Emma Williams says
At the moment I’m blessed with two girls, even so this was beautifully moving and I want to how my husband – for our sons and even to stir something within him. Bless you
Krystle says
Thank you!!!
Krystle says
Thank you so much!
Lacy Lacy says
Fantastic post! I love it!
Krystle says
Thank you friend 🙂
Jenna B says
As the mom of 3 boys, you have read my heart.
It’s a wild business, raising boys.
Krystle says
Thank you, so much.
Amy says
What a Blessing this post was! I have 3 boys. 10, almost 8 and 2. What a JoY they are! Always excitement around here 😉 never a dull moment~ Blessings to you!
Krystle says
Yes, never a dull moment 🙂 🙂 Thank you!!!
adriel @ the memos says
Amen Krystle! It’s such an honor AND responsibility AND joy to raise boys!! I never knew how amazing it would be. Until now. 🙂 And I’m so, so grateful. x
Krystle says
Thank you friend!!
Steph says
So true! Thank you for this blessing today! Boy #4 is soon to arrive and it is truly amazing to be charged with such a wonderful responsibility 🙂
Krystle says
Congratulations!!!
Shanalea says
I have 4 boys and the responsibility of raising the next generation of leaders weighs heavy on my heart. I pray for purity. I pray for strength. I pray they will never stray from a God who loves them deeply. I pray that I would an example to how a Godly woman treats their husband. I pray that they would closely watch their Daddy to see what a man of God looks like. It is huge. Thanks for sharing in it.
Krystle says
Exactly. Wonderful, bless you!
Mitzi M. says
Great words, Krystle! My boys are 14 and 12. It’s an amazing and challenging journey… this raising men… but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Krystle says
Oh man, I know those ages will be here before I know it! You are in the thick of it! Blessings your way!
Liz says
If only we could wrap them up and keep them safe, but you’re right, life sometimes calls to learn strength and then more strength – a beautiful post today – especially love being reminded of how much I enjoy seeing my husband and son together, laughing, talking, listening to music, fishing, walking, razzing each other in the way only they can.
Mother’s Day is (almost) here and I am always mindful that on that day our children see not only their mother’s in appreciation but how the dad’s treat their mum’s on this day and learn from that …
Krystle says
So so true about what the boys see their Daddy’s doing. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Charissa Steyn says
very sweet and insightful post…I will be having our first baby- a boy- this September!! What a privilige it is to have a boy to raise!! I’m excited 🙂
Krystle says
Congratulations! Our first was due Sept 1st and arrived a bit early, such a joy! God bless you on your first Mother’s Day!
Lindsey Williams says
Beautiful post. My little boy is one month old and some days I am overwhelmed at the challenge of raising a Godly man. Thank you for sharing.
Krystle says
It can be so overwhelming, especially in those early days with hardly any sleep, it seems to pile up on our hearts. Blessings on you and your precious one and Happy Mother’s Day!
HeatherB says
Thank you for this. My boys are 3 and 9 months. Sometimes it feels overwhelming (and exhausting). But it’s awesome. And important. And yes, all the glory belongs to our God 🙂
Krystle says
It is overwhelming and exhausting, especially those ages! Keep up the amazing work!
Anna Radchenko says
what a lovely post. thank you for that.
Krystle says
Thank you so very much.
Ashley Larkin says
Krystle, I am so thrilled to see you here! Thank you for raising your three boys with such Godly love and intention. I pray my three girls are blessed someday with men who were raised with this same kind of wisdom. God bless you and your husband in your marriage and your parenting. And, as a mama to future women, I say thank you!
Krystle says
Thank you for raising women for my men!! Well, most likely not for MY men, but you know what I mean 😉 And thank you again, for your encouragement!
Meghan @ Spicy Magnolia says
I have a three year old little boy, and wow, how God blessed me with a man-child! I’m so, so grateful for him, and your beautiful words pierce my heart and I cry out in prayer with you. Thank you for sharing this!
Krystle says
Thank you so much, God bless you in your endeavor to raise a Godly young man!!
Jana says
I love this! I am the mom of two beautifully spirited boys! I couldn’t be prouder to say that. What a gift I have been given. That God believed in my husband and I so much that he gave us two boys to raise into Godly-men in this broken world – what a great but privileged responsibility. It is with the deepest sense of purpose that we take on this privilege of raising our sons to love deeply, think globally, and respond greatly to the needs of this world. Thank you for sharing the joy of your heart through your boys!
Krystle says
I love this! Thank you and bless you!!
Leanna says
Well put! I am momma of all boys (currently 5, 4, 2 and 6mo). I often call them my “little warriors” and pray daily that they will be great and mighty warriors in The Kingdom of God one day. They are wild, fierce and often fearless… great potential for godly men. They want to be just like their Daddy! And I am thankful to say he is a man after God’s heart, who loves and serves God with all his heart, mind, soul and strength.
I am always happy to hear from another mom surviving her man village. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart! And be encouraged that you’re not alone in your battle. Lets raise this Army and pray for their godly wives to join in the fight!
Krystle says
I love that, little warriors, so great. Thank you for your comment!
Janis@Open My Ears Lord says
Your post is written with thought and love and the realization of hurt that comes with raising boys. At this time in our world, we are letting go of our young men into a society that is steeped in immorality, lacking in godly values, and full of temptations. Even within the church values are skewed.
I have prayed my heart out and cried endless days over the lack of power I have to steer their lives down the righteous path. They know the truth, they have been taught about God’s love and His ways, they have heard His word.
But in the end, all that we can do is pray and trust that God will work His perfect plan in their lives–no matter what we see happening in their lives now. That in itself is challenging.
God bless all of us mothers and fathers of boys, no matter what stage in live they are at.
Krystle says
You are so right, thank you so much for your words.
Anonymous says
This is a great post, Krystle, and I feel like you covered all the things that moms of boys do think about! It is a huge responsibility to be raising a boy, and an honor too.
Callie says
This is a great post, Krystle, and I feel like you covered all the things that moms of boys do think about! It is a huge responsibility to be raising a boy, and an honor too.
Sorry for the repeat, I forgot to enter my info before! 🙂