I noticed something different as soon as Andrew walked in the door. One evening, not so long ago, my 16-year old came home from working-out at the Y and told me a custodian had stopped him in the hallway and said he “looked like a champion” after working out. Andrew said he felt like giving the guy a hug because it made him feel good someone noticed his hard work lifting weights. Then he felt kind of awkard so he just told him “thanks” and kept walking.
But, when he got to the exit door, Andrew decided to drop his bag and run back to thank the guy for encouraging him.
The next morning as we were heading out the door for school, Andrew was still thinking about what had happened. He said he was tired of thinking about himself all the time and he’d decided any time he gets a sense in his heart that he needs to encourage someone, he’s going to follow through.
I did everything I could to hold back the tears. And with his permission I want to share why.
We have been on a hard part of Andrew’s journey this past year. A journey filled with doubts and hard questions about God, compounded by frustration and uncertainties about his purpose in life.
A journey that has broken my heart and brought me to my knees.
And while praying for my son, I’ve heard wisdom that could only come from his Heavenly Father.
- Wisdom told me not to react, but to listen closely as Andrew vented words that were hard to hear.
- Wisdom told me to keep my mouth shut, and let my actions speak louder than my emotions.
- Wisdom helped me breathe deep and look for ways to affirm unique gifts I’d seen in Andrew that he could no longer see in himself.
I have admired Andrew’s natural tendency to notice and encourage others for years. But it had disappeared. So, I’d been praying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for him, asking Jesus to help this boy I love remember what brings him joy and purpose.
And God had answered, using the kindness of a stranger to stir up that life-giving gift in my son. That day, a ray of hope broke through the clouds. And each day it gets a little brighter as I stay on my knees and in God’s word on my son’s behalf.
Parenting is hard. It can leave a mama feeling worn out and weary from the battle for the hearts of her children.
If that is you, please keep reading and enter today’s special giveaway. I’m excited to introduce you to my new friend, Brooke McGlothlin. Brooke knows what it’s like to want to wave the white flag and give up the fight but she also knows God has called mothers to get in the battle. So how do we do that in the most effective way? By coming alongside them in prayer.
Brooke just released a new book, Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most, And I love it! So I’m giving away a copy today!
From fun boy mom humor, to insightful biblical wisdom, Brooke helps mothers of boys discover their value and power as praying moms. In Praying for Boys Brooke teaches us to discover delight in the chaos of raising boys, and helps us have more peace in our hearts and homes. {Disclaimer: If you have a daughter, don’t worry I’ve got another friend whose written a book for you and I’ll be giving away one soon!}
But if you are a mom of boys, I want to tell you a little more because this book is a praying-boy-mom’s treasure chest!
Praying for Boys will:
- Help you stop hovering, and start covering.
- Give you permission to wave the white flag, while empowering you with the tools you need to keep going.
- Help you recognize your value and power as a praying mom.
- Overcome feelings of failure, and walk in confidence as a mom.
My favorite part is that Brooke includes over 200 topically-organized, Scripture-based prayer prompts for 21 areas in which boys struggle the most.
Brooke McGlothlin is Co-founder of Raising Boys Ministries, where moms and dads come to discover delight in the chaos of raising boys. You can find her writing about fighting for the hearts of her sons at the MOB Society blog. Brooke is also a homeschooling mom to her two boys and happily married to the man she’s had a crush on since the third grade.
ENTER TO WIN: Click “Share Your Thoughts” below this post and tell me about the boys you pray for.
I’ll choose a winner Sunday night, and announce it on my blog Monday, along with the 5 winners that will be picked from Wednesday’s Giveaway.
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Praying for my boys j who is 16, and n who is 13, who came to know The Lord before 3. I pray that my Jesus will become their Jesus, and that they will want to live for him!
I am the mother if 3 growing, beautiful boys. Jack is
14 and trying to navigate through high school, Justin who will turn 13 this spring (in the midst of middle school and finding his way)and James who is 10 and struggles with controlling his emotions, especially being the youngest brother.
My sons are similar, yet different in so many ways…I don’t know I could handle mothering without having God to turn to.
Thank you for your story and for sharing about this book!
I pray for my 2 sons continually. My youngest son who joined the Air Force 2 years ago. Happily married one minute and the next she says I want a divorce, I don’t love you! My son is devastated ! My heart is broken for my son and selfishly for myself! I loved and still do love her and pray for her (she does not believe in God or Jesus) my son thought he could lead her to Christ and she would be saved! He feels he let her down and worries about her salvation! He is alone at Eglin Air Force Base with no family and no friends and oh how I want to be by his side! My heart breaks for him! Son number 1…..where do I begin? He has been in trouble since as far back as I remember. He loves his momma this I know!!! He is 33 and recently started going to church! Praise God!!! Been praying for years for my son to find Jesus! I know the only reason he goes is to appease me! I have to believe Jesus will crack his heart open and he will truly hear the word! I find my faith dwindling at times and need so much to STAY IN THE WORD, which can be very challenging at times!!! I thank you for sharing your life stories and struggles! God Bless!
My son is 10 right now. He focuses on himself and his winning abilities all the time. I often tell him to think of others before himself. There are those sweet precious times when he says or does something that brings tears to my eyes. I would love the chance to read this book and look at who he is and my role in that. Prayeris something I struggle with – I know it’s importance, yet don’t give it the attention it needs/deserves. Thanks for sharing!
The book sounds fantastic. I have a son who has a mild from of aspergers and I worry about him and his future. In addition his father is not a positive roll model for him. I’m constantly praying for him and his future. Thanks for sharing today!
A good reminder to pray daily instead of expressing anger and disappointment. Humbling myself today to look at my boys through God’s eyes instead of my own. Back to prayer as a priority for everyone I know in need of prayer.
I have a 20 year old son that has struggle since my ex-husband and I divorced. There are a lot of negative people in his life. This past summer he contemplated suicide. He is not happy in his life and work. I work at our local church as the secretary so I have our church ladies praying for him. I am trying to talk him into moving to Texas to be with my brother and sister in law. I have two other boys 16 and 6 and am a single mom.
I have a wonderful 10 year old son, whom I look forward to getting this book for! As a single mom, it is very hard to sit back sometimes and see my son wishing for a dad like everyone else has. One day at baseball practice, Caleb was having trouble hitting the ball, and one of the other kids shouted “you cant hit the ball, because you dont have a dad.”! I keep reminding him about his great Heavenly Father,and how He is all we need. I am so glad somebody finally wrote this book!
I have a grown son but 4 grandboys under the age of 6 by my son. . I was a young mom and still pray for my son. My son was grown before I had the wisdom to breathe deep and truly point him toward God. He is a father now and I want him to raise his boys so much better than I ever did. My prayers are with him, his wife and my grandsons. May God use each and everyone for His glory.
Thank you for all you share.
My 24-year-old son has blessed me with my first grandchild (son). Praying, praying, praying for this new generation. This book would be a great blessing to my daughter-in-law.
I pray for my son Benjamin, who just turned 12 years old this week…
I have two teenage sons! This story has encouraged me to start being more confident, secure and exact in praying for my wonderful boys! The oldest is a man of God! He is a young life leader to a group of young men from a high school and does a fabulous job. However, at home I he is not that young life leader! I have often prayed and even begged God to teach him that his natural family needs him and his words. Especially his younger brother and sister!!! Oh I am praying hard for the opportunity to be able to receive a copy of this book to read. To be able to pray for my oldest and to be able to help him understand! What a fabulous and inspiring story ….THANK YOU RENEE.
This post gave me such hope! Not because your son had that revelation but because it shows me I am not alone in this fight for my son! I’m sad that I didn’t have these tools to be enlightened early on in my sons life but even though he’s 20 now, he’s still my boy and I still have that power of prayer and loving him that will linger on even when I am gone!
Thank you for the confirmation, thank you for allowing GOD to bring that breath of fresh air to the moms who are blessed with such special children such as boys!! Thank you!!
Although my son is not out of the woods yet, and doesn’t seem to want to be free of them, I know that GOD’s plans will prevail and he will break forth soon!!
Thanks for the resources on praying for our sons. My son has been struggling some in school and we started praying together each morning. He even reminds me now if I forget to pray with him before school. It is really teaching him the power of prayer!
There are several “boys” I pray for – my husband (yes, still a “boy” at heart!), my son, my son-in-law, my grandson and my future grandson. I like to have focused prayers for all of them!
Thank you so much for this lesson today!!! It was just what I was aching for. My son is a beautiful and kind young man who has always been strong in his faith and walk for God. He is a junior in high school this year and it’s a tough one! The peer pressure is unbearable at times and although he remains strong, I can see the struggle. I see his battle to remain faithful and feel his pain. Pressures from athletics to perform, pressure to make his grades and still have time for his friends and Church activities and then the girls…it’s all taking a tole on him and he needs reassurance and encouragement but sometimes I really do want to wave the white flag!! The book sounds like a lifesaver! Beautiful post Renee, thank you!!
I LOVE being the mom of boys but sometimes I feel like I am at war with the enemy fighting for their souls! I would love to read Brooke’s book to be encouraged and to know that I am not alone in this battle. I love the habit of praying scripture over our guys. With 2 teenagers I feel like we sometimes we are all speaking a different language and need God to be the interpreter.
Thanks for having this giveaway.
The boys I pray for are my 23 year old son, my son-in-law, my grandson, and the future husbands of my daughters.
It would have to be my son Daniel who is 13 years old. We have, it seems like, a war around here. I am not sure of my boundaries with him. He came to me one afternoon and said,”mom, someone is yelling at me.” I was completely surprised and wanted to know who it was. It was me. When he was young I would yell. I was just like my dad who was an exploder. I exploded at every thing. I also knew that I had a lot of verbal abuse when I was growing up. I have begun counseling for this issue of the verbal abuse and learning how to take those small steps that only God can provide. I would love to win this book just so it can give me wisdom to know how to pray for Daniel in such a way that we can begin the healing process of our relationship. Thanks for offering.
I was so touched by this. I have a 14 year old son that I worry about so much. Reading this really hit home. I need to pray for my son just as you did. I know that he struggles with figuring out who he is and what his purpose is. I also struggle with mothering too much and when to let go and let him figure it out on his own. Would love to have this book. It would be a great help!
This book sounds wonderful. I have two sons one 16 and the other 14. My 14 year old is at war with his father. They just keep on bumping heads at every turn. And he now sometimes starts with his older brother. My older son I worry about him finding his way in life. They have both stop going to church and I feel that they don’t have God like they should. This book would really help me learn to pray for them. Bless you for sharing this with us.