Notes: this is an edited repost of my original post “Mothers: Shaping the Next Generation of Healthy Men”
Mothers,
Do you believe you are shaping our world?
Where are you today, reading this?
I have experienced, heard, and seen, over and over, the influence a mother has on the lives of men and women. The actions of our mothers, showing up in childhood and adult life, shape who we are and who are becoming.
Mothers, YOU ARE powerfully influencing the next generation of men and women entering this world! You CAN give this world healthy, confident, secure, loving, and serving men and women.
There may be words, both within and outside of you, that try to tell you that you don’t matter, and what you are doing does not have an impact. This is not true. The stories of countless men and women, and my own story, prove this.
Mothers, YOU are critical! YOU are essential! Come together and talk! Support! Encourage each other! Be encouraged! You are raising sons and daughters who will shape the future!
We would not be here if it wasn’t for you.
Thank you.
Thoughts for Men:
Men, there is unity in this: we are ALL sons. We were wonderfully made and woven together within her. This gift of life is because of her!
Sons, how are you honoring your mother? Husbands, how are you honoring your wife, using what you learned with your mother? Dads take some time today to talk with your son.
Men, encourage your mothers! Thank them for their role in shaping us.
Recently, I realized I was in a season of transition. A housing change and upcoming move is bringing with it a new place, a different neighborhood, new neighbors, new experiences, and a different perspective.
But it is bittersweet. I don’t want this season of my current home base to end. My time here, in this place, has been the richest and sweetest time of my life.
Why do we so often cling onto our seasons so tightly? Does this keep us from seeing the opportunities ahead of us, and the areas of growth that are waiting to happen?
It’s so easy to try to hold onto where we are, rather than eagerly anticipating what is ahead of us. But, when we have a confident hope that there are good things planned for us, what do we have to worry about?
We have a choice: to start to lean towards and embrace a new season, or to try to cling to the one we are leaving.
Seasonal changes in our lives can provide a perspective and lens to view things differently. They can allow us to see the world in a different way. They can allow us to experience things in a different way. They can challenge resilience and ignite growth. Hard seasons, like the death of someone we love, divorce, a job loss, injury, or loss of relationship, are not as difficult to want to leave behind. But there is still opportunity for fruit to grow in these.
What season is ahead of you? What are you clinging to that you don’t want to let go of? Do you doubt that there can be good things ahead of you?
It is possible to prosper in every season, regardless of what each season holds. Regardless of the circumstances those seasons bring.
Psalm 1 says that those who delight in God’s Will, in his guidelines and principles, will be like trees planted along a river. They will bring forth fruit in EACH season, their leaves will NEVER wither, and they will prosper in whatever they do.
With this directive, there is hope that we can prosper in EVERY season we find ourselves in, if we remain planted in this truth.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to share Genea’s story. It has moved me and encouraged me tremendously and I hope it does the same for you as you read this. This is the first in a series of personal stories of how God is at workin this world and in our lives. These stories are not always tied up neatly with bows at the ends, but I hope the strands of faith, hope, and God’s love interwoven in these will encourage you in whatever you are facing.
“..I found myself where the Almighty had let me fall, and He picked me up and told me ‘You can’t handle this on your own, and you will NEVER have to’….I KNOW with conviction, that everything WILL be okay no matter what the circumstances are. If God can lead you to it, He will lead you through it….your situation is NOT your final destination…” -Genea
I grew up in Charleston South Carolina all my life. And I’m one of two sisters. I don’t have any brothers biologically, but have a lot of adoptive ones. I’m a pretty sociable person. I can get along with just about anyone. I’m a Vibes kind of person. I can feel People’s Energy. Especially bad ones. I enjoy good conversation, and intellect is a big thing for me. I love music. I am a huge rhythm and blues fan. Especially the early 90s. As well as a hip hop fan of the 90s. I like jazz, and classical music as well. I love coffee, I also love making desserts. Especially brownies. I make some of the best you’ll ever eat. I have another dream of opening up my own bakery shop. I’ll call it: Demetra’s Decadence.
As far as my education goes, I graduated from Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. I attended there from 1998 to 2003. I got my bachelor’s degree in Sociology. And that is where I fell in love with working with children. I have worked with children for the last 35 years. I have certifications and early childhood literacy, Behavior modifications , as well as CPR. After college, I moved to Florida with my best friend and her husband to Tyndall Air Force Base. There, I ran my own in-home child care business, before working at a few facilities. When I moved back home, I opened up Sugar Babies. That was my in-home child care business in South Carolina. I ran that for a good 15 years. Then some unforeseen circumstances happened, and I had to close.
Which would bring me to my lymphedema situation.
My Story
I have had lymphedema since the age of 12. I continue to learn more about it everyday. I started seeing signs of it at the age of 12, and I know that it’s hereditary in my family. My grandmother, my mother, my two uncles, as well as two of my cousins also have it. Lymphedema is the condition where your lymph nodes get backed up with fluid. Usually in your lower extremities. You can also have it in your hands and your arms. It’s where your legs swell, as well as your hands. It is a progressive condition. You can also get it from cancer, childbirth, or car accidents.
I had been pretty functioning with mine. I was able to work, go to school, and walk for most of my life. Even at the heaviest. At my heaviest, My legs were probably 50 lb a piece. By God’s grace, I’ve never had a lot of breakouts, or Hospital stays. My mother, on the other hand, has.
Truly, this last three years have been my absolute hardest battle with my Lymphedema. I have really had to lean on my faith and spiritual relationship with God to help me through the hardships that I NEVER saw coming. The parts specifically where I would have to stop working, and when I was not able to walk.
Not being able to walk was the hardest I have to say. It was almost like.. Being stripped of your whole independence. At least in my eyes in the beginning. I had always been able to come and go as I pleased, whenever I wanted, and now I found myself where the Almighty had let me fall, and He picked me up and told me…” You can’t handle this on your own, and you will NEVER have to.”
From that day on, I surrendered myself to him in ALL things. Not just my Lymphedema… but every other aspect of my life as well. Whether it be family, friends, work, relationships or any other situations that may come up in my life. I ALWAYS come to Him first in prayer. Then I go on with life, and let the chips fall where they may.
I KNOW with conviction, that everything WILL be okay no matter what the circumstances are. If God can lead you to it, He will lead you through it. Also, your situation is NOT your final destination. I have only lived almost half of my life
The way I see things, the best is yet to come.
I have always been an eternal optimist. I try to always see the glass as half full. Now that I have lived some life, and had some experiences, I know that you cannot drink from an empty cup. It’s about self love. (As well as God’s love.) You must love and take care of yourself, before you can take care of anyone else.
I used to say that without faith, work is dead. Which I still believe, but now I also say, You take one step, God will always take two.
And ALWAYS pray. Pray consistently, and intentionally. Don’t just pray for what you want, or just when you get what you want. Always give God His praise, and never take things for granted. Just like you get things, they can just as easily be taken away.
I lean on my faith in God with everything that I have. I came into this world 4 months early, at 2lbs and 5oz.,born with hydrocephalus, and a VP shunt. I had five head surgeries by the time I was 12 years old, due to an infected VP Shunt. I had up to ten seizures a day by the end in 1992. It was definitely by a lot of prayer, as well as God’s grace, that I was healed. It was the roughest time in my life, as well as my mother’s and the rest of my family. To be honest, I don’t know if I would survive it now if I was still going through it.
I know that God gives his strongest Warriors the biggest battles. And I have come out triumphant through many tribulations by his love, and being his child. I give all honor and praise to him. He, and the angels that He sends to help me along the way. Of everyone else that supports me as well. And I am truly blessed. And I am at peace with everything. Of course I have my down days just as anyone. But that is the human part of me.
We all are flawed, but made perfect in His image. I do the best I can, to have the best life, and be the best person I can.
Genea
Genea still struggles with the effects of lymphedema on an hourly and daily basis. This affects every element of her daily functioning and movement.
If you feel led to, please share how God used this story to encourage or inspire you. Genea can be reached at ebonechaton43@gmail.com
A few months ago I sent an email to Dr. Michelle with this question: “I was wondering…have you ever thought about applying your insights on dad-daughter relationships from ‘Let’s Talk’ to a book about marriage? I’ve been finding your stuff in the ‘Let’s Talk’ book to be incredibly helpful for my relationship with my daughters, and it also seems applicable to the marriage relationship too.”
She immediately wrote back and said, “Wow…there’s an idea I haven’t thought of! I do often remind dads that their wife (or ex-wife) is a daughter too so all these things with their daughters also apply to marriage. I haven’t felt led to write a marriage book, but here’s an idea: What if you gave my book to 10 or 15 guys and then created a support group to apply the same principles to better understand and pursue the hearts of your wives.”
That’s all it took for me to reach out to 12 guys and ask if they would be willing to ask their wife this question: On a scale of 1 to 10, how deeply do I connect with you?
There was a common thread in their initial responses: “That’s a hard question!”
Several were actually not sure if they really wanted to know the answer to this question. And some were afraid to ask.
Perhaps we as men all hoped that if we asked, we would get at least an 8 or 9. But what if we got a 4 or a 5? How would that feel?
Now I have a question for you guys who are reading this: How would you respond if you got a low number response?
Would you be angry, upset, or defensive?
Would you be deeply wounded?
Would you blame her…or yourself…for the low score?
Or, would you be curious and say, “Please tell me more about why you scored me that way?” or “How can I improve my score?”
To be honest, I was afraid to ask.
Afraid of hard questions that might expose a broken connection.
Afraid of how my wife might answer.
But mostly, afraid because I knew our connection was damaged and I just didn’t know how to “fix” it.
“Fixing” a low score, at least to me, involved doing something I thought needed to be done to solve the problem. Then even if she shared something good, if I missed the mark on how she needed to feel more connected to me, my “score” still probably wasn’t going to improve.
I’ve realized that when I try harder and harder to “fix” it, we both end up feeling farther and farther away, disconnected. Then I end up even more afraid to ask the tough, difficult questions and more frustrated with where we are.
Asking “harder”, deeper, better questions about our relationships, about how we can improve, can be intimidating, and it’s also very revealing.
But it is one key way to get deeper into the heart of the woman and daughters we love.
And finding a way into that depth is essential, in my opinion, to building a strong, healthy connection with her.
I was encouraged recently when asking this same question to a larger group of approximately 50 men. There were several who were curious to learn more about what their spouse (or girlfriend) might say and how they could connect better.
Even if they felt afraid, they asked. And they even shared the responses they heard! It was clear they wanted a better relationship and were interested in feedback on how to get there.
Guys, how can we move past fear?
How can we love well, listen curiously, and connect deeper?
And how will you know if you are connecting wellunless you ask?
Are you ready to be an intentional, courageous man and jump into curiosity about how you are connecting with your wife/girlfriend or daughters?
If you’re reading this article through, then I’m going to say, YES, YOU ARE!
A man who moves past fear and into the risk of deeper conversations will discover huge potential for discovery, intimacy, and growth.
Let’s do this, dads!
Be amazed at the wonder you will uncover in asking and hearing the answer to this simple “hard” question.
Once again, here’s the question to ask her: On a scale of 1 to 10, how deeply do I connect with you…and how can I improve my score?
Ask it today, with a curious, humble heart.
Alex Gerber is just a regular guy who lives in Charleston, SC. He works as a home health physical therapist. He has two daughters. They enjoy “adventuring”, being outside, fossil hunting, and playing silly games. He enjoys running, surfing, hiking, camping, and being in nature. He also enjoys asking curious questions to learn and prompt deep thought.
What does he need to have, or know, before he can step into his role and purpose in life and move forward as a truly confident, safe, and joyful protector and provider for others?
I believe, as a starting point, he needs to fully and deeply know WHAT the answers to these questions point towards in his life:
Where does he go for safety and refuge?
Where does he find real rest?
Where does he go for instruction?
What guides him?
What keeps him solid, and not collapsing, WHEN the storms hit?
What makes him thrive?
Where does he find joy?
How does he get to fully experience the pleasures of a good life?
Men, look into your answers to these questions and examine where and what they point to.
Knowing this may allow you to know what your source of life (i.e. strength, energy, motivation, love, security, provision, emotional and spiritual stability, hope, peace, joy, etc) is and where it comes from.
My question is, How can a man truly provide and protect those entrusted to him, if he does not KNOW that he himself is provided for and protected?
I found David’s example from Psalm 16 so incredibly comforting and inspiring. David knew trouble. He knew despair. He knew heartache. He also knew where and what his source of life was.
David KNEW:
Gratitude: “every good thing I have comes from you”
Heart gladness: “my heart is glad, and I rejoice”
Body rest and safety: ”my body rests in safety”
Security: “I will not be shaken”
Stability: “He is right beside me”
Protection: “You guard all that is mine”
Rejoicing: “no wonder my heart is glad and I rejoice”
Provision and inheritance: “You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing”, “the land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!”
Wisdom and instruction: “You will show me the way of life”
He was not alone: “…granting me the joy of your presence, the pleasures of living with you forever”, “He is right beside me”
Soul rest: “You will not leave my soul among the dead”, and above
Reading the words of a man who was so confident in what, in WHO, he was rooted in, and seeing his knowing of how he was protected and provided for, has challenged me again to look at where I find my source of life and refuge and HOW I know that I am truly protected and provided for.
I believe a man has to deeply know that he is protected and provided for, before he can most truly do this for others.
I don’t know exactly why, but this is where I am today as I started off in Proverbs 31, written by the wisest man who ever lived. I figure, if he knew, I could listen. This, I could dwell on for hours, years, a lifetime.
We are given the opportunity to have an abundant, rich life, and a man is given a life so abundant and full when he has a good woman in his life.
Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT, [10] Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. [11] Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. [12] She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
There aren’t enough words to be spoken of the power of this woman in the life of a man. He is stronger, wiser, more capable, more giving, more loving, more gentle, more, more, MORE, when she is present. She brings him good, all the days of his life.
I have personally known, met, and encountered these women. I have seen the impact they have on the lives of the men around them and that they share life with, on their families, their communities, and the world. I would not be where I am today without a good woman who was in my life, and now many good women who speak into my life.
But “good” is a soft word. An overused word. And one that doesn’t come close to describing what this woman is.
I find the original Hebrew word much more powerful.
“Chayil”
This word signifies strength, power, and valor.
It describes a woman with great capability.
With strength of character.
It is often associated with military might, wealth and influence, “implying a woman who is capable and effective in her roles” (ai definition)
Today, I hope that men will see and recognize thewoman in their life. May we men encourage, build up, affirm, support, and inspire this woman. She is strong, she is capable, she is powerful, influential, and she brings much good.
I hope you enjoy this song, “woman”, by Mumford and Sons, as much as I do.
Who do I want to be? Generally, I think far more about what I want someone else to be, than this.
If you are someone who would like to learn and grow, then perhaps this would be a helpful exercise. First, answer these 2 questions from “Be Here Now” by Judah and the Lion.
1. Who am I becoming? 2. Who do I want to be?
I challenge you to write out five responses to each of these two questions above. Then answer….
3. Who, or what is guiding my life?
Next, consider asking your spouse, a good friend, your child, or someone close to you to honestly answer this question….
Exploring a framework of intentional purpose, vision, direction, and action for life
Living in fear sucks. Feeling afraid to make a move, or not knowing what to do. Afraid to mess up and make things worse.
I often think I can sit and just wait for the solution to come on its own. I think that the answer will just present itself, and the problem will go away. I’ll tuck my head under the covers and wait.
Failure to act when it is called for, hurts.
It hurts me. It hurts those close to me. Recently, I watched again as my passivity caused hurt to someone I deeply care about.
For me, passivity is and has been so often the norm. Taking intentional action to move in the direction of real convictions and truth, in the right way at the right time, is often the exception.
Failure to do this though, results in damage.
What does passivity look like in a man?
The oldest and first example I know of is Genesis 3:6: “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it too.”
Adam knew what God had said (Genesis 2:17). He was there. And he was there again when Eve took the fruit, ate, and offered some to him. He first stood by, silent. And then, he ate.
For me,
“Well I really don’t know so I’ll let her decide (that way I can blame her/them if it goes wrong)”
“I don’t know the best option, so I’m going to choose to do nothing.”
“I think I know what the right thing to do is, but I’m afraid, so I’ll sit here and hope the solution just comes or someone else solves this.
“I’ll stay silent. I’m afraid to speak or move towards what I believe is right”
How does it hurt?
It doesn’t feel right or good. I know it’s not what is intended for my life.
Inward turmoil. Feelings of failure. Feelings of guilt and shame. Confusion. Inadequacy.
It leads to tension and tearing in the fibers of my being.
Outwardly, it hurts. It can place a weight on others they are not meant to carry. It can lead to a build up of resentment in others for your failure to act when you should have. Do you have other examples?
How do we find a solution to this?
I think that the root causes of fear need to be addressed. What keeps us from taking action? Or moving towards the right path?
In order to do this, we need to know what the right path actually is. What is truth? What guides you? Who influences you? That will determine how, when we choose to take action, we respond to these tricky situations life brings.
The good news is that stepping out of passivity is healing. It brings peace. Guys, passivity is not the intended blueprint for our lives. Operating within the framework a man is made for actually works. It feels right. It is right.
What does that framework look like? I am still learning. more to come….’
“The Lord is good and does what is right, He shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.” Psalm 25:9
If you saw the title of this and felt triggered, explore that.
As a man, I have so often hated the word “safe”, and so I decided to explore and embrace this opportunity to learn. This is such a loaded topic from many perspectives. I will try to provide thoughtful questions here, as well as give you insight into what I have learned through my own personal journey of shame, performing, loneliness, depression, divorce, faith, freedom,and discovery. I hope something here will be helpful for you.
I’ve gathered a lot of this from my experience, reading, and from many conversations with men and women. This is my opinion, and my experience.
Questioning
I have posed the following question in multiple gatherings with men because I find it so thought provoking and a great starting point:
Who are you becoming?
This question already implies that you are moving towards something. There’s no passivity here. You’re either drifting or fighting. Even stagnation is not passive. While in that state, there is no movement, no growth, no advancement, but there is a festering that develops that is not healthy.
So next, I want to ask:
What are you moving towards?
My aim here is to INSPIRE YOU to move towards becoming safer men. For our wives, friends, families, children, and everyone around us.
What Does “Becoming Safer Men” Mean?
Safe: protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost.
(For the purpose of this writing and discussion, the “safe” that I am referring to is a place of connection, a place of deep security, on an emotional and spiritual level. Physical safety is assumed and present)
“Safe” is a loaded word today. It seems like everywhere I look, this word is thrown around. To me, it has been a triggering word. Why?
In regards to myself, men, and people, I’ve seen and experienced it used as a label.
Have you ever been told you are unsafe? Did you believe it? Was it true?
If this safety is so important to the women and people in our lives, how do we become “safe” men? Men that our wives, children, friends, and others can come to when they are confused. When they are hurting. When they feel scared. When they feel unsettled or unsure. When they want to find rest. And, when they need to call out our own poor behaviors that are causing damage in order to bring healthiness to our relationships.
Becoming Safer Men: Knowing What it Isn’t and What it Is
A man who does not “feel” safe is unlikely to provide safety.
A man who does not believe he IS safe is unlikely to provide safety.
A man who is not safe is a man who is likely lonely and isolated.
This man is likely afraid and scared. He lives in fear.
This man may have pain that is unprocessed, unrecognized, unaddressed.
This man may be easily triggered; but when triggered, he pushes away from the pain or discomfort and continues to do so, instead of curiously exploring it.
This man may truly not want to get to the bottom of himself to learn how or why he works the way he does.
This man may be angry and wants to blame.
This man may hold onto past wrongs and let them simmer.
This man may be gripping tightly for control in his life of anything and everything that comes into reach.
This man is likely reactive, not proactive.
This man does not listen, consistently.
This man is not kind and gentle with his words and tone.
This man seeks to blame others and defend himself, at the sake of others.
This man is likely deceptive.
This man may be naive, or blind, to the damage he is causing; or worse, he may be hardened to it.
A Safely Confident Man
Confidence: the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.
“A safe man loves me for who I am. He offers no judgment, but a deep love and understanding of who I am and what makes me hurt.”
-from What is a Safe Man
A confident man may be the most safe man anyone can encounter. He may be, but, not all confident men are safe men. This is clear all around us. Safe and confident do not always go hand in hand. The source of confidence is key.
Confidence that is rooted in anything that can be taken away is shakeable.
Confidence that is rooted in self is selfish.
The safest man, I believe, is a confident man whose confidence is grounded in deep, immovable truth. This confidence is often found and seen in the most humble, unassuming men. This man can step into the unknown, even feeling afraid, in a way that brings a safe presence to those around him. This man’s roots go deep.
He is secure.
He is fruitful.
He is thriving.
He is not perfect. There are mistakes. But he is learning with an open heart, confident that the weak areas in him will continue to shape and form in purity as he leans into them, seeking help outside of himself.
He is vulnerable to see and admit his flaws, ask for help and seek wise counsel, and is motivated to work towards growth and serve others well in doing so.
What Truth Grounds This Confidence?
For me, this growing confidence (not yet fully realized, still in process) came from experiencing the truth of who I am because of who God says I am. Not who others say I am. There is a deep unshakeable confidence in this that cannot be denied or taken, because my confidence lies in Jesus.
I know who I am because of who He says I am.
I know how loved I am and am more capable of giving love now because of that.
I know that I can be safe because He is safe and He lives in me.
I can now move out towards those around me in humble confidence and safety.
Examples
We can learn how to be safer in many ways. But why not look at the best examples?
Who is yours?
Mine is Jesus Christ.
He was not a man that held onto control. He was a man that surrendered, in the right way and at the right time.
He was not a man who shied away from pain and discomfort….from the places no one else would go and the people no one else would touch. He moved towards those places and people.
He was not afraid to cry, or to cry out. Or to bear his heart.
He walked in complete truth.
He invited and welcomed.
He listened and comforted.
He spoke when it was necessary, and did not when it was wise to be silent.
He was a man who bore the burdens of others
He bore our sins, and yet he surrendered his life entirely to his Father, for the lives of others.
He came to serve, not to be served.
He came to protect those who were given to him.
He came to provide something that can never be taken away.
He was, and is still, safe. perfectly so.
Becoming Safer Men: Action
Today, How do I become a safer man?
Here are 3 steps towards a simple start.
1. Listen. Open up your heart to learn.
2. Begin by looking at good examples and studying them.
I study Jesus; The gospel of John and the TV series The Chosen have been great places to learn about who he was and who he is.
3. Move away from loneliness, and into community.
There are plenty of resources and groups for men here in Charleston. You are NOT alone! Don’t act like you are. Journey together and grow with other men. Look for men who are becoming safer each day.
I write and share from a man’s point of view. I would recommend resources written by women (such as first reference below) on this topic to bring more clarity.
Do you believe you are shaping our world? Where are you today, reading this?
I have experienced, heard, and seen, over and over, the influence a mother has on the lives of men. The actions of our mothers, showing up in childhood and adult life, shape who we are and who are becoming.
A simple AI search shows the evidence is strong:
A mother serves as a significant role model, demonstrating behaviors, values, and life skills that a son can emulate. She can inspire her son to dream big, pursue his goals, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. A man’s relationship with his mother can influence his understanding of relationships with women and his ability to form healthy and fulfilling partnerships. A positive mother-son relationship can help a man develop healthy boundaries, respect, and empathy in his relationships. Even as a man matures and establishes his own family, the influence of his mother is lifelong and can continue to shape his values, behaviors, and relationships.
A son becomes a man who understands women through the lens of his mother.
He may likely set his expectations for women and a future partner through this lens.
He may cling to or adapt the expectations from this lens to serve himself, or serve the woman in his life.
Mothers, here are two things to help reflect on who your son is becoming:
I’m convinced that how a son views and treats his mother is a strong predictor of how he will view and treat women, and his future wife. How is he treating you?
How you view and treat him may be a strong influence in how he views himself and how he will expect to be treated by the woman in his life. Do you always view and treat him as a child? Or do you view and encourage his growth as a strong, capable, confident and secure man?
Mothers, you are powerfully influencing the next generation of men. Come together and talk! Support! Encourage! YOUR son may marry HER daughter. You are raising sons who will shape the future! You can give this world healthy, confident, secure, loving, and serving men.
There may be words, both within and outside of you, that try to tell you that you don’t matter, and what you are doing does not have an impact. This is not true. The stories of countless men, and my own story, prove this.
Mothers, YOU are critical!
Mothers:
Do you notice healthy patterns in how your son treats and views you? Commend these!
Do you notice any unhealthy patterns? Correct these!
It’s so important, as much as it is possible, for his father to be part of this journey. A father should be highly and actively involved in training and showing his son how to love, respect, and honor his mother.
For Men:
Men, there is unity in this: we are ALL sons. We were wonderfully made and woven together within her. This gift of life is because of her!
Sons, how are you honoring your mother?
Husbands, how are you honoring your wife, using what you learned with your mother?
Dads take some time today to talk with your son.
Men, encourage your mothers! Thank them for their role in shaping us.
Moving Forward 