Men, Women & Children - "HE GIVES US BOYS"

WELCOME BACK, DEAR READER!

Many of you may already know from past articles, that in this column I speak on any subject that covers individual issues of Men, Women and Children. But I also cover family issues as well. In today's Men, Women, and Children column, I want to do something special. TODAY, I AM CELEBRATING! I am celebrating SONS!

I am a single mother and I have been blessed to raise a beautiful, creative, intelligent, friendly, well spoken, healthy, Christ loving Son. My son is my only child. When he was born, I really didn't understand that it was going to be just he and I and what that all meant. I had no idea how to handle something like that and it could have turned out much more terrible than it did! We had a VERY HARD TIME trying to make it, that little baby and me! "Family" turned on us! The Dad turned out to be (unbeknownst to me beforehand) an incredible verbal and emotional abusive, self-centered person. On our journey, my son and I both, were abused by Christians and non-Christians alike, People we knew and people we didn't know! On the other hand, we were also helped by Christians and Non-Christians, People we knew and people we didn't know! God is so WONDERFUL! He touched and softened many, many hearts. He blessed with finances, shelter and protected us. Those hurts that did come, he kept me and my little boy protected enough (now almost a man) that those hurts didn't destroy us. Even with all of the mistakes I made, my son at 19, still hugs me a plenty and tells me "Thanks Mom, for loving me and working so hard to teach me. Thanks for not giving up!"

My son, is 19 now and with the blessing of Christ, he's turning 20 in November and will live a long, long prosperous and productive life, doing Gods' will. My son is not perfect in the flesh, but he could have turned out a lot worse! A whole lot worse! My son is a quiet person, that is until he gets to know you! he smiles a lot. He is a giver, a helper. He is kind. He is a bit of an introvert. He is goal oriented. He has plans for his future. Sure he has his "lazy"moments like most teenagers, but I am praying to Christ that he will outgrow that! He can also be a very big pain in the butt, but aren't most teenagers at some point? But hey! Overall, my son is also a very likable person!

Maybe just like your own child, on a regular basis, even co-workers of mine sincerely ask about him. They constantly ask how he's doing and giving him plenty of well wishes. They hope and believe Good things for my son. The most wonderful thing is when known Christian believers tell me that they are keeping my son up in prayer! One of them "RJ", actually went toe-to- toe with another guy we know, in protecting my son. This happened when on the way to my son's 18th birthday party, the one guy told RJ and two other friends that he actually wanted to "corrupt" my son, initiating him into "manhood". I don't need to tell you people what kind of corruption that man had in mind. What do small minded, un-wise, immoral people men usually do with 18 year old males on their birthday? An "innocent" 18 year male on his birthday... you figure it out!

He spoke of the plans on how he was going to do it and the word is, RJ acted as a Father figure to my son, spoke against this man's plans and "warned this man" about why he should drop his plans over my son! Before you get any ideas Dear Reader, The "good guy" RJ, and I have nothing going on. He being an inspirational, intelligent, young productive man of God, I asked him to come and "Bless my son" on this special day. My son and I were both happy and honored that he did it. RJ and I were conversating just the other day and he mentioned to me just a few days ago (almost 2 years later) that he was honored as well that I asked him! He also said a prayer over the rest of the youth at my son's party, which was like a big, clean, loud family gathering held at the church in 2008. Now that I think on this again, what my friend did for my son, is what "A LOVING FATHER WOULD DO"! Come to think of it, his "real" Dad, was invited and didn't even come! My, My, My! See, God really will give you what you need, right when HE KNOWS you need it! As it is written: "I'll be a Father to the Father-less", thus said thy Lord Thy God.

Even though this column is not one that I designated specifically as a "Christian" teaching column, I find that WISDOM, you can't escape from. And wisdom was present when the earth was formed. So follow me if you will into the "book of wisdom" as I celebrate sons.

Proverbs Chapter 6 verses 20-23.

"My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mothers teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.

When you walk, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light,

and the corrections of discipline are the way to life."

Devotional

HE GIVES US BOYS

Author: Charles Swindoll

THROUGHOUT history, long before the marines, God has been looking for a few good men: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

"I looked for a man among the whole would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30 a)

God, give us men! Give us Noah's, to whom you can trust your mighty plans;

Give us Abraham's, who are willing to leave home and homeland to follow your call;

Give us Josephs, who would rather endure prison than violate one of your commands;

Give us Moses-es, who are willing to stand as your mouthpiece against the most powerful leaders in all the world;

Give us Daniels, who would rather face a lions den than compromise their faith;

God, give us men!

However, the reality is that God does not give us men-he gives us boys. To us, as parents, he gives the task of forging these boys into men. To help equip us for that task, God has provided the book of Proverbs, which is largely the advice of a father to his son...Our children are our legacy. As a parent, are you taking that thought seriously?" Amen! I agree with you Mr. Swindoll.

If there is a son in your life, Celebrate him today!

Thanks for Reading, Ms. Meetta