I mentioned a few posts ago about a new book that I was reading, “Raising Real Men”, by Hal and Melanie Young. The Lord has brought this couple close to my heart lately in more than one way. Hal recently found out w/ a bout of pneumonia that he has Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Their young daughter, Katie, has a heart condition that has her on strong medicines. Today is the 1st day of 4 that she will be off of her meds in order to perform a critical test on her heart. At any time, her heart could take a turn for the worst.

What touches me about this couple is that they have complete faith and trust in the Lord. I cannot begin to imagine what Melanie is going through, yet she’s still going! This family is the real thing – they love the Lord and are raising a Godly seed. They know that they are in the Lord’s hand, and He is keeping them through this time.

Knowing this much alone told me that this book was going to be a good read! Hal and Melanie have 6 sons and 2 daughters, and after seeing such a need of Christian direction for raising sons, the Lord led them to write this book. I will be honest and say I haven’t completed reading the book yet, but this is one that I’m excited about picking up whenever I can find a free minute to read!

This was a book that I originally thought would be a great read for my husband, a positive role model if you will for fathers raising sons. And while I’m sure it is, I’ve found it to be invaluable to me already as a mother raising 3 sons myself. There’s always going to be those times when “Johnny” wants to explore on his own, climb anything and everything, make and break things…

Hal and Melanie have shed new light for me, helping me to see how these are GOOD things that God has placed in my sons. These are masculine traits, which are valued in men – but seem to be a bother in boys. They have shared how what is missing in boys is the maturity to properly use these God given traits.

I mentioned to my husband last week that ’something tells me this book is going to say it’s a good thing that our son placed his chair on the table to climb up the bookcase to get something off of the top shelf…’ and ‘it’s a good thing that he wanders off in our yard, walking in his own little world’.

And I’ll be honest and say that yes, I can see that these are things God uses in his life to strengthen him to become a strong, REAL man one day. One example might be – in regards to climbing – he might be a firefighter, rescuing people from a 2nd story window (or higher). Should my “Mommy” protective nature point out how dangerous it is and make him fearful, I will be stunting this in him. (This is my own analogy, but similar to the ones they share in the book.)

Another part speaks of providing positive role models for young boys. It’s hard growing up and staying true to the Lord, and even harder when you don’t have positive role models to look up to. I paused to think closely at what/ who my boys look up to – whether people or fictional characters. This alone can be worth reading the book for!

I’d like to share a few tidbits that jumped out at me early on, points that I knew I wanted to remember:

“God has placed in our boys a desire to be in charge, because one day they will be in charge. Today’s boys will be the fathers, and bosses, and elders, and statesmen of tomorrow. We’ve got to teach them how to submit to authority without destroying their leadership.”

“… the frenzied activity: mothers concerned their little boys are hyperactive… Doesn’t he need to be on medicine? (I love that part!) … God made that little boy energetic so one day he could go out and conquer the world.”

That last part really got me thinking. Conquer the world. Yes, I want my sons to be die hard fighters for Christ! If I make them passive about everything, like their sister, hmm… chances are they’ll grow up to be ‘like their sister’ more than if I allowed their God given traits to be developed.

“But he’s aggressive and loves to fight… One day he may be called to defend his country or protect his family. It’s our job to make him a protector and not a bully.”

This is where I can say that I am so thankful to Hal and Melanie for writing this book. While I am comfortable at being Mommy to little ones, I must say that I’m walking into the dark somewhat as my boys are getting older. I appreciate that they have taken the time to put together the lessons that the Lord has taught them – big and small. Each time I pick up the book and read, even if it’s just a handful of pages, I’m finding something that blesses me as a Momma to future men.

Today they began celebrating the release of this book, Raising Real Men, on their site – www.RaisingRealMen.com. Each day there will be giveaways (sorry, I know I’m late – and Sonbeams was today’s prize – hurry, you might still have time to register). The main release page is: http://www.raisingrealmen.com/2010/01/welcome-to-our-official-release-celebration/

The honest truth, this is well worth the $15 price! It’s already been invaluable to me, a true blessing from a couple that’s been there/ done that 6 times over.

And in case you missed our last post, there’s a huge homeschool sale going on at: http://www.funfoodadventures.com/estes.htm . This sale is full of awesome products contributed by Christian companies to help support some needs of the Estes family. Scroll all the way to the bottom so you are sure to see all of the products you receive AS WELL AS what’s included in the Grand Prize packages that are worth over $800 each!!

Mrs. Candace (Future mommy to 3 REAL men )

Email: Candace @Sonbeams.com

Facebook: Sonbeams – Homeschool Preschool