Raising Godly Boys Minute

Have you had to wait for something recently, or are you still waiting?

With seven games left in the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge tied Roger Maris for the American League single-season home run record.

With the world watching, Judge had to wait for five more games before finally breaking the record in the next-to-last game.

Psalm 27:14 tells us to “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.”

Waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean we don’t have our part to play. Waiting on the Lord is active. It’s preparing our hearts, being ready to serve, and expecting God to provide.

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”

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

What poisonous plant is easily identified by its “leaves of three”?

If you said poison ivy, you’re right! When you see its “leaves of three,” you immediately step back. That’s because nobody wants red, itchy skin covered in bumps and blisters.

In the great outdoors, it’s important to teach your son the hazards of poison ivy, but it’s even more important to teach him the hazards of sensuality. Today’s secular culture sexualizes women in movies, magazines, and the internet. For boys who want to guard their thoughts and do right, it’s a tough world out there.

Philippians 4:8 is an excellent reminder to point your son to that which is true, pure, and virtuous. In doing so, you’ll guide him away from the hazardous poisons that cause terrible pain.

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

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”?

Kids sometimes use the rhyming words as a comeback against insults. But the rhyme couldn’t be further from the truth.

Words do impact our thoughts and actions. That’s why 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build one another up.”

When was the last time you wrapped an arm around your son and told him how proud you were of him? Or when did you last compliment him on a skill, talent, or accomplishment?

We all need encouragement in life. Set the example by using genuine words to build up your son. Those words may impact him more than you’ll ever know.

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

Do you have a junk drawer at home? You know, a drawer where you keep odds and ends like buttons, batteries, and blue highlighters.

Even though small knick-knacks can seem like junk, those tiny objects suddenly become super important when you need them.

The same is true in life. At some point, your son may fail a test at school or miss a crucial pass at a football game. That’s when something as small as an encouraging word or a comforting hug becomes a big deal. Those small actions take just a few seconds, but their effect may last for days or even weeks.

So remember, even though an object or action may seem small, it can still hold super-sized value.

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

When was the last time you looked up at the moon? It’s usually there in the night sky, but we don’t always pay attention to it.

And yet, the waxing and waning of moon phases is an important reminder that time is continually passing.

It’s one thing to ignore the moon, but whatever you do, don’t ignore your son. No matter how busy life becomes, remember to appreciate phases of growth in your son. Whether he’s an infant, toddler, preschooler, or teenager, enjoy each season of development. By intentionally investing your time and talents into your son, you’ll discover the joy of parenthood.

For a little extra help along that parenting journey, Trail Life USA has fun activities that are helping boys grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Learn about their nation-wide programs at Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.