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.
I would love this book. I have a thirteen year old son. Thank you,
Hello I am a mother of 3 grown sons who have been deployed at different times in the last 4 years. I had one return last fall and one just a month ago his second tour of duty! I am very proud of there military careers and proud of them! I have a six year old Grandson who for all of his 6 years has had his Dad in the military. My Grandson’s parents where young when he was born. but are no longer together. Its hard for my little grandson. My heart just breaks for my Grandson he loves his Daddy so much just praying for fair visits for him and his Dad and Grandparents(my husband and I) I am on my knees in constant prayer for all of them!!
Yes Our God Reigns!!! He will prevail!!! I will continue to pray and stand in the Gap!!!
Hello Renee,
The boys that I am praying for are my grandsons who are 13 yrs old and 7yrs. Our 7yr old grandson lives with us along with his 5 yr old sister and we are raising them due to the tragic and unexpected death of our middle daughter ,Erika (their mom) on September 26,2012 when she was hit and killed by a car. Our eldest grandson lives with his mom and her significant other who also has a son who is 12 yrs old and I consider him a grandchild as well. I pray for the boys and my daughter because she seems to have abandoned many of the principles and values that she was taught and that I believe we have modeled for them and she has become obsessed with material possessions. I so desire them to be godly young men who love the Lord and are bold in sharing their faith with their peers and who learn to seek the face of God so that He can reveal the plan that He has for each one of them. I am certain that this book would be a blessing to me and my husband as we endeavor to impart eternal truths to them and to assist them in fulfilling their divine purpose. My heart is breaking to see how sad my grandson is in his present living situation but I know that God has called me to pray and stand in the gap for them.
I am the grandmother of a grandson after raising 3 beautiful daughters. My heart is broken for my grandson because his parents our struggling in their marriage and as hard as my daughter tries, I’m not sure they are going to make it. I am on my knees praying for them and this sweet wonderful little boy who adores his father and mother. My daughter is so concern for him and I think this book would be wonderful for both of us so we can be the prayer warriors this little guy needs.
I have 3 sons, ages 10, 9, and 6. They are the joy of my heart! I would adopt 3 more boys if my husband would let me! My 10 year old is just starting to show signs of puberty. I can’t believe it, my baby! This book and blog caught my attention because I know there is a battle raging out there for their hearts and minds and we are about to really start walking through it. I need all the wisdom I can get! Thank you!
I have a son and 3 grandsons- William, Thoren, and K.C. My son’s boy is K.C.. My other two grandsons are by my daughter who died Oct 2011. Their father has totally cut me out of their lives since my daughter’s death. The last thing I heard about them were they both were in the hospital for hurting themselves. I wonder if they ever got to grieve over the loss of their mom. Six months after her death, my son-in-law got into a relationship with a woman who had a son. On my son-in-law’s facebook page, I see a lot of talk and praise about this other woman’s son, but nothing on either of my grandsons. The oldest one, William, was being home-schooled by my daughter as he was ADHD. My son-in-law would never accept the diagnosis or go with my daughter when she took William to a psychiatrist. After the funeral, my son-in-law enrolled William in public school.
I have been praying for my grandsons to be totally healed and to be able to get in contact with me
I pray for my 19 yr old son.
As a mom of two boys, I learned early on how to pray fervently, desperately, and openly for both of them. Our first son was born with birth defects and endured six surgeries. Those long walks down the corridor into the OR with our baby were terrifying! Those long hours in waiting rooms were excruciating. But those long hours in prayer were comforting. So thankful that God brought us through it all and so blessed to be a mom of two teenagers now. Wait, did I just say blessed and teenagers in the same sentence!
I have a son who lives with us in an apartment part of our home. He is 21 and his gfriend ( SOON TO BE fiancé!!) and 9 month old daughter, Charlotte Alesandria- the absolute best granddaughter and joy of my life, live with him. He has a calling. Was saved young, baptized and raised in church. But as his father and I bitterly divorced and due to his suffering and witnessing our lives he has turned from God, his beliefs, and hope. I know it lays dormant within him and desperately plead for The Lord to awaken him as a Christian man to his family. I also have a 14 year old son who has followed his brothers path. He is the “floater”. Doesn’t get involved but knows The Lord, the word, and salvation. Again he in lying dormant but they both should not be alive!! My oldest had less than 10% of living at birth and spent nine weeks in NICU. He was violently ill and barely was diagnosed with appendicitis in time for emergency surgery. Daniel has suffered with asthma and twice in last six months has been hospitalized with severe illness!!! He has A PURPOSE!! My youngest was conceived AFTER MY TUBAL LIGATION!! Yep!! They’re both my miracles!! AND GOD HAS A CALLING FOR THEM!! Help me help them!! How can u do what they need to come back to God!!??
I pray for my 19 year old son; he is such a good kid and a great help to me, His dad remarried and pretty much doesn’t have anything to do with him now. He has been looking for a job and hasn’t found one yet and continues to talk about joining the army. Praying that God will lead him down the path He has laid out for him.
Thank you so much for sharing, it touch me deeply. I am a single mom raising my two blessing that the Lord sent me while being married to their dad. I have been divorce for 7 months now. i made sure that received counseling right away and it has pay off, since they no longer feel anger towards their dad. My oldest is 13 and going through his rough teen years. My Youngest is 10 going through his tween years and he always keeps me going. They are very loud when they play with their friends their video games or just when the rough play together in the house. Some times I can not even hear my self think. My oldest Brandon, is going the difficult time because our house is going to be foreclose. This is the only home my boys so I understand. I am not working just thriving on child support which helps pay the bills, not including the mortgage or 2nd mortgage he left me with. I have to say that I am blessed that at least I am receiving child support. It has been hard to finding work that will work around my children school schedule being that I do not have any family members in this state to help out. The women I do know they are at work or have their own thing going on to give me a hand. I did work for sometime after the divorce but what I did make went straight to childcare. So I chose to be with the boys instead of working and watching them grow with out much time from me. The only thing that has kept me going is knowing and living by Gods promise. He said he would never leave me or forsake me. I know my children could benefit from a great role model but I decided that instead of searching for one I hand it over to the Lord. I just pray that I can always direct them on the right path and that the divorce circle ends with their dad and I. My boys Brandon and Cristian are most of my strength. I have to say they are a great blessing even though at times I do not know if I am coming or going. I know that we must all go through our tribulations some worst then others but I also know they will bring us to a better tomorrow. I pray that I may be one of the luck winners. God bless you for what your are doing.
Thanks for sharing. I love to hear stories from other MOB. My boys include 4 sons (9,6,5 & 2), a future son in law(24) and a husband. While I try to pray often for these boys, I find it hard to be specific about exactly what to pray as I do not know or truly understand the male world. It seemed so much easier to pray for my now grown daughter when she was little. I knew more about the female world. I am intrigued by the male world but am so afraid of how gruel it actually is. I want to shield my beloved boys from that cruelty but I also understand that I have to prepare them for it. Thank you for all the work you do, God bless.