Raising Godly Boys Minute

Imagine this.

At a garage sale, you wipe the dust off an old genie lamp. Smoke pours out, then poof! A genie stands in front of you. He says, “You freed me from the bottle—I grant you one wish.”

You’re thrilled, but what will you ask for? A work promotion? A sports car? Tickets to the Superbowl?

In 1 Kings chapter 3, King Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. And God granted his desire.

As a parent, make sure you also prioritize wisdom. You can do this by taking a few minutes each day to read a chapter of Proverbs with your son. Not only will you grow together in wisdom, but your son will see that the true source of all knowledge comes from God alone.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Did you ever make a mud pie?

Maybe your son has. That’s where you mix water and dirt into a thick, gooey mixture. Then after slapping the mud into a hamburger-sized patty you decorate it with twigs and pebbles.

Boys still like getting dirty in the backyard. But at some point, it’s time to clean up.

As a parent, teach your son that there’s a time to be messy and dirty, but also a time to wash up and clean up. Be intentional in helping your son know how to bathe, brush his teeth, and comb his hair. Don’t just pick up his toys and dirty clothes, teach him to clean up after himself.

Through consistent instruction, you prepare your son to face daily activities with a clean slate and a clear conscience.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you have unreasonable expectations?

As a parent, you love your son and want him to succeed at everything he does. You want him to earn the highest grades in class, score the most points at the game, and have the greatest artistic talent.

But unreasonable expectations can cause frustration—for both you and your son.

Even though it’s fine to motivate your son to achieve success, be careful that your high expectations don’t cause him to become discouraged, angry, and resentful. Ask the Lord to guide you in knowing how to motivate your son. Then, as long as your son is trying his best, be satisfied with the results.

For help and encouragement along the parenting journey, check out Trail Life USA. We have fun and exciting programs that are helping boys grow into godly men. For more information, visit RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you ever use the smiley emoji while texting?

That emoji helped launch World Smile Day, which is celebrated the first Friday in October. On that day, people are encouraged to smile at people around them.

Fortunately, you don’t need an official holiday to smile. It’s something you can do every day. Of course, life doesn’t always run smoothly. Health issues, work conflicts, and financial concerns may catch you off guard. Or perhaps your son discourages a smile from you because he doesn’t like the rules you’ve set in place for his own good.

Despite life’s challenges, a simple smile can keep matters in proper perspective. Not only will a smile help lower your stress level, but it’ll also show your son that God’s grace provides lasting peace. And that’s certainly something you can smile about.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you ever use the smiley emoji while texting? 

That emoji helped launch World Smile Day, which is celebrated the first Friday in October. On that day, people are encouraged to smile at people around them.

Fortunately, you don’t need an official holiday to smile. It’s something you can do every day. Of course, life doesn’t always run smoothly. Health issues, work conflicts, and financial concerns may catch you off guard. Or perhaps your son discourages a smile from you because he doesn’t like the rules you’ve set in place for his own good. 

Despite life’s challenges, a simple smile can keep matters in proper perspective. Not only will a smile help lower your stress level, but it’ll also show your son that God’s grace provides lasting peace. And that’s certainly something you can smile about.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.