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About 10 years ago, the Lord placed a deep longing in my heart. My boys were entering stages in life where their voices were changing, pimples were rearing their nasty blackheads, muscles were growing, I could see girls were checking them out as if they were tasty bits of candy.
God has used my story to speak into my sons’ lives. I never would have expected anything good to come out of my regretful decisions but thankfully I AM NOT GOD!
I wanted to give them a vision about sex that I had never properly learned. As a result, I squandered that gift from God time and time again. When I looked at my guys, I saw their potential and power and the fact that I forsook this treasure during my formative years.
Was it possible to teach my olive shoots a better way? Could I even dare to suggest (along with the Hubs) that our boys, virile and mighty, wait to have sex until they were married? It’s in the Bible and all but could we have the audacity to encourage them that to realize that their bodies were to be cherished? I mean, they are guys after all!
I have often inquired of the Lord why did He only give my sons to raise? His replies are deep and personal but one of them that I wish to share with you is that Jesus gave me a responsibility. He has said, “Teach those guys about Me. Train them up with everything you’ve got! Teach your olive shoots that every single part of them is worthy. Instruct them in my ways even if they are counter-culture and difficult. ”
I really hope I don’t get killed for posting this picture! They still have tender hearts and strong muscles.
Treasure God’s Word, orange hair, freckle face olive shoot.
As I contemplate the word “cherish” as it applies to talking about this sensitive subject, I feel that the Lord is pleased with this aspect of my parenting. They are 22, 18 and 16, so far, so good.
We are not a perfect family. My olive shoots are now 22, 18 and 16 and their paths have a few crooked places but I am blessed to see that they value their purity. They are cherishing something I did not. Bless them, O Lord. Bless them. Amen.
My Awesome Olive Shoots 
Valuable post; in this day and age so many parents are just so lax about raising their children to respect and cherish themselves and their bodies. I have a 13 year old and thank God, we talk about this gift of purity, how he needs to value not only himself, but any girl he chooses to date. It feels as if the secular world is against us. Thankfully, we have God on our side!
I don’t think I could discuss this subject without the redemptive power of the Lord! Thanks for stopping by and keep doing a great job mothering!
Thank you! Blessings to you – enjoy your weekend.
Thank you Patty! I appreciate you reading my posts!
This is a very important lesson to teach our children. It sounds like you have done a remarkable job by your boys–teaching them to respect themselves as well as the women in their lives. Good job, Mom!
I guess because of all that I learned the hard way, I just wanted to teach my boys something better, God’s way. It’s amazing to me that the things I did not think I should ever share, became things that God said I needed to reveal. Still brings me to tears. Bless you, friend.
I LOVE this post. I love your heart. i love the redemption inherent in this story. And as a momma to girls, I love your heart for your boys and pray that my girls will find mates with mommas who taught them as carefully as you have.
That means a lot to me, the Lord wrote my redemption story, I can scarce take it in. Bless you.
All the momma’s of little girls your boys will date (and the 3 that will marry them!) say THANK YOU for teaching them to wait….to know that they are cherished… and YAY that God LOVES that you are teaching (and encouraging) this lesson in life.
GREAT post. Thanks for sharing!!
Marina, that is truly my prayer, that my sons’ wives will say “thank you.” I remember telling my mother-in-law that when her son proposed to me! Bless you!
Nice muscles, guys!