Raising Godly Boys Minute

The tyranny of the checkout line.

If you’re a parent, you probably cringe whenever you have to wait in line at the grocery store. That’s because young kids see the checkout aisle as a carnival of fun.

“Dad, can I have a candy bar?”

“Not today.”

“What about this racecar?”

“No. Put that back.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said so!”

It’s easy to grow frustrated when kids whine for stuff at the store. But use the occasion to teach your son important lessons about financial responsibility. There are many ways to accomplish this, but the ultimate goal is to help your son understand how to manage money and be a good steward of what God has given you.

By training your son in the way he should go, even pennies begin making “sense.”

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

Ready for some stats?

Statistics indicate that most people live at least 75 years. That life expectancy equals 900 https://www.traillifeusa.com/raisinggodlyboysmonths or 27,394 days. 

But statistics are only an average. Some people live longer. Others shorter. Even though this is a sobering thought, Psalm 90:12 reminds us, “to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

When we understand that life is short and unpredictable, we shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal. And in doing so, we recognize the God-given responsibility of training our sons to become godly men. 

Even though parenting is filled with challenges, be intentional in using your days wisely. As you commit yourself to this vital task, the Lord will provide you strength from day to day. 

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

Coffee’s on!

It’s Saturday morning. You had hoped to get some extra sleep, but your kids are already running around the house. As you drag yourself out of bed and pour yourself a cup of coffee, take a moment to consider this COFFEE acronym:

C stands for Christ. Draw closer to him!
O stands for opportunity. Parenting is a privilege, even when it tests your patience.
F stands for faith. Keep Christ first in all that you do.
F also stands for family. Stick by each other through thick and thin.
E stands for eternity. Teach your kiddos to set their affections on things above.
E also stands for energy. Trust God to provide you strength to keep on keeping on.

Now take a sip. Ahhh. Isn’t that good?

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

How strong is your son?

When boys reach middle school, many of them take a sudden interest in how strong they are. They like to do things like arm wrestle with their dads or compete in push-up contests. Some boys even begin lifting weights to bulk up.

Strength training is a great way for boys to build muscle and endurance, but boys aren’t the only ones who need exercise.

As a dad, are you exercising your parenting skills? Are you intentionally strengthening your communication abilities? Guiding your son in becoming a godly man isn’t easy. That’s why it’s vital to study God’s Word for instruction. It’s also helpful to use trusted resources to point you to Christ.

By building up your parenting abilities, your relationship with your son will soon be stronger than ever.

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

Where’s your WD-40?

When a door hinge squeaks or a bike chain becomes rusty, what do you spray on it? Probably WD-40. The spray lubricant works so well that around 80% of American households have a can somewhere in their garage.

But WD-40 wasn’t easy to create. Engineers developed dozens of mixtures until formula number 40 proved just right.

As parents, WD-40 helps us remember that good things take time to develop. It’s easy to grow frustrated when our sons don’t mature as quickly as we’d like. Maybe they squeak out excuses or are rusty at basic life skills.

Even though physical, mental, and spiritual growth takes time, God is faithful. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”

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