Wednesday

Bringing up boys...


If you are dropping by today from the Proverbs 31 devotions, welcome. As you may have read, The CEO and I will be welcoming our third son in the coming weeks. I can tell you now that I can hardly wait. Had you asked me how I felt several months ago my answer might have been different. 

At the onset of the pregnancy I was hoping for a girl. I'll be honest though. It wasn't so much that I was hoping for a little girl. No, in truth most of my dreams revolved around the joy of a friendship of an adult daughter. My Mom is one of my best friends. I looked forward to the days of spending time as allies, peers and accountability partners. Those days would be far into the future, but I dreamt of them nonetheless. So to discover that I will never have that kind of friendship (and all the wonderful memories in between) with a daughter brought some feelings of sadness.

It was during this period of mourning the loss of those dreams that a dear friend called to offer encouragement. Mindy said she was certain that God was blessing our lives with another little boy because the CEO and I can be trusted to raise godly men of faith, character and integrity-men who will make a difference for the Kingdom. I was in tears, speechless and terrified. What an honorable calling! (It's no different than raising daughters who will gladly submit and serve certainly, but daunting nonetheless.)

I have prayed regularly since that conversation that I will in fact be worthy of the call. The CEO and I have been blessed to have amazing earthly Fathers who have set the bar high. Their strength of character and tenderness of heart warmed our affections toward our Heavenly Father at young ages.  I will admit that in the chain of faith I am the weakest link for our boys. My beloved seeks the Lord, serves Him faithfully and models that for our boys. He loves me second and demonstrates it on a regular basis. I am not worthy of him. 

For my part I am endeavoring to show that in our home Daddy is in charge. First is God; second is Daddy. We all (including Mommy) love and obey Daddy. I want our boys to value their Dad as head of our home, a capable and devoted leader. I want them to aspire to be men like him. 

Things were going well until one day a couple of months ago. Our family had just enjoyed a week of vacation at the beach. Trying to get everything packed up, keeping two toddlers entertained and getting ready for a six hour car ride had left us a little stressed.  We had managed to get most of the car packed and the boys strapped in their seats when a slight disagreement erupted. After several minutes of "discussion" I got in the front seat while the CEO finished loading the car. I was rather frustrated when a sweet voice from the back said words I will never forget.

"Mommy, did you disobey Daddy? We don't disobey Daddy. We all obey Daddy."

I was in tears, speechless and terrified.

So when the CEO got back in the car I apologized, and we headed on our merry way.  Several minutes down the road I confessed the impetus for my sudden broken and contrite heart. He was impressed and amused, and he has yet to let me live it down. I don't know that this is the kind of parenting Mindy had in mind when she said we were raising godly boys. I guess my parents were right, good parenting sometimes happens in spite of ourselves.

I can't say yet if this is a lesson my boys will remember, but it's one I will never forget.








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17 comments:

Sharon Sloan said...

Whitney: Your devotion and this post are beautiful, encouraging and challenging.

It was wonderful to read about your families and the heritage of faith. Praise the Lord for your fathers and for them setting the bar high...as unto the Lord.

Congratulations to you and the CEO on your new little guy whom God is forming in your womb! Keep us posted!

Prayng for you all as you move closer to home...and also closer to your Father... :)

Warmly,
Sharon

Haroldly Taveras said...

Hi! God Bless You!!

congrats on your new baby!

I praise God for your life and because you let yourself be used by God. It has been the longest of time since Ive been trying to find your blog, and in Gods will today I did. I wanted to let you know that every time you post, or do the devotionals for P31 God speaks to my heart.

Love you in Christ,
Haroldly Taveras

Blog is no more said...

Congrats on the blessing of another child!! I have 3 children and they are such a blessing to us!

I enjoyed the devotion for today, so true. We all need some 'fall cleaning' in our souls.

Isn't is funny how God always shows us that we are the ones in those family 'discussions' that need an attitude adjustment. My mouth gets me in a lot of trouble sometimes.

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Whitney for your encouraging, open-my-eyes devotional today. I am a first time visitor to your blog from P31. God is all knowing that I needed to read your words this morning.
As a mother to four sons age 30 to 20, it is truly an honor to be given the joy of raising Godly sons. The Lord saw us fit to also raise a daughter for Him and she is now 9 yrs old. I think the Lord was hinting that I needed a little more maturity! ;-)
May He continue to lead you and your CEO as you raise your blessings and speak to our hearts.
In Christ,
Nancy

Christie Todd said...

Whitney-
Thank you for your honesty and openness in your devotion and in todays post. You are an inspiration to me as I too, attempt to raise godly children. Continue to say yes and let God do the rest!

Jill Beran said...

Whitney, your devotion was just what I needed to hear. I've been putting off some soul cleaning these last few days and your words confirmed exactly what i need to do. Thank you and blessings on your new little man!!

Julie P said...

Your devotion was great today. As I was reading, all I could think was "Ouch!" Thanks for speaking the truth and being open about your "junk drawer." Congratulations on your new addition. Our world is in desperate need of Godly men; what a privilege that He has entrusted you with 3!

Diony said...

I love reading the daily devotions from Crosswalk drawing strength from the women who share and strength from God. Thanks Whitney for sharing yours. As a mom of seven, I have been taught many lessons from my children, some painful, but all important. Sometimes God definitely reaches us through them.
I work everyday on honoring my husband and letting him lead our home. Some days I do much better than others. I'm so thankful for our merciful Lord that loves us mistakes and all. His perfect example and unconditional love is the solid foundation I cling to through the storms of life.

Laurie Ann said...

Your devotion was wonderful. Full of encouragement and conviction for me! I enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. May God bless you as you seek to serve Him in raising godly boys. And congratulations on the soon-to-arrive little one. I can imagine ya'll are getting excited!

Van said...

Hi Whitney, I could so relate to your P31 devo this morning! I have moved so many times that I actually set aside Mondays for my MOVIN'ON AFTER MOVIN" IN MONDAYS blog. I could relate to your thoughts because those have been my thoughts as I readied my house(s) for realtors and prospective buyers. Interestingly I have always found a dark spot in my home that I ignore, the catch all room, be it basement, laundry room... where I had stuff hidden away. I belive God has moved me to not only clean up my stuff but to inspire me to inspect those dark and hidden places in my heart and mind.

Oh - I didn't get that daughter either, but I now have a daughter-in-law and I love her like my own. I prayed for her long before she came into my life and God has been so good with his blessings of a daughter- all grown up and ready to be my son's dearly beloved. hugs to u & baby

Vern ~ Inspired said...

Hey Girl!

Your message was beautiful. I could hear your sweet voice and it made me miss you and your wise cracks!

Hugs!
Vern

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is wonderful how God uses our children to teach us lessons. The trick is for us to have open minds and hearts to listen.

Thanks for your ministry and may God continue to bless you as you experience the joys of another child on the way. And trust that God already knows your little one, whether a boy or a girl, and He has a plan for their life, (and a plan for yours) ;o)

Shermanators said...

Such a beautiful post and devotion. I just finished reading Wild at Heart and was so encouraged by it! Your post kind of reminded me of that post and how, strangely, I hope God will give me sons to raise up into Godly men...just like you are doing!

Thank you for being such an encouragement!

Love,
Kelli

Unknown said...

Whitney,

As a mom to four amazing young men (ages 13 to 21), I have to say, "YIPPEE!" to your news! Just think, you can use "My Three Sons" as your baby announcement! Also, I loved your devo today. Shew! I am going to clean a closet tomorrow AND work on my spiritual junk as well!

Thanks for sharing! Love, Tammy

Jennifer Scull said...

another mom of 3 boys posting here! mine are 18, 16, and 15, so yep, I was in your exact shoes. 3 boys in 3 years. I wouldn't trade one moment of it for the world! they are such a HUGE blessing to me! and not to worry about the girls - when those cute boys grow up, the girls will most definitely be around! take my word for it!!! :)

I have just discovered your blog, but will most certainly be back often. God has given you a gift with your writing. many lives are touched because of what He leads you to say!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Whitney,
I have been trying for a couple of days to leave you a comment but my computer just would not cooperate! You devotion.."Hiding My Junk"...was such an inspiration to me! I printed it out and plan to read it again and again. It is so ME! You pointed out things in my life that I have been blind to! Thank you so much!

God bless you!

Marilyn

Marybeth Whalen said...

Hey Whitney! A boy! I can't remember what you said his name was going to be but I remember I really liked it. Can't wait to meet him next summer!