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The Beauty of Boyhood


I have this boy - this wild, almost four year old, sword wielding, dirt digging, hose spraying, LOUD, train track building, matchbox car hoarding, ball throwing, tape measuring, block organizing, tender-hearted boy.



He has changed my life. He has changed almost everything about my parenting. Mostly in a very good way. He taught me that I did not have it all figured out...suddenly I became the mom I never thought I would be. He humbled me.

But I have also found myself more exasperated and frustrated than I ever was before as well. I have said things I *swore* I would never say like "If you don't come here right now you are going to bed for the rest of the day!"...at 11:00 a.m....yeah, not my proudest moment or smartest threat ;) I know better. I know the right things to say and the right way to handle defiance...but this boy - well, all my logic flies out the window.


I have lost my temper more times than I would like to admit. In fact, I have probably lost my temper more times in one day with this boy, than I ever have with my oldest daughter in her five years of life (slight exaggeration for dramatic effect). I have been angry. I am not an angry person. I have yelled. I am not a yeller. It breaks my heart. I have also spent more time on my knees seeking forgiveness and wisdom in parenting this boy than I ever imagined.

I have learned so much. God has revealed to me that I needed to let go of my ideals. I didn't even realize how attached I was to the world's view of little boys. I was trying to cage his wild heart - placing expectations on him that were simply unfair and unrealistic. Like Aslan in Narnia - he is not tame, but he is good. Exactly the way that God created him to be - rough and messy and loud and dirty and jittery and curious and brave and unhindered and pure joy.



I am still trying to figure this boy stuff out - but God is stretching me and showing me the beauty in boyhood. I pray that I will be mindful of the joy of boyish wonder.When I feel my frustration rising or that I'm losing my cool, I simply pray...

God,
Grant me patience. May my words be kind. May my hands be gentle.



Oh how I love and adore this boy...
{Beckett Samuel}

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out: The Gift of Girlhood

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment & share :)





Comments

  1. Janice D. GreenMay 23, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    My "this boy" is going to be twin grandsons born only two days ago. I have a lot to look forward to. Their Mama has two nearly grown girls so it will be almost like starting a new family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 23, 2013 at 8:32 PM

      Congratulations! Oh what fun adventures lie ahead for your family :) Blessings to you and yours <3

      Delete
  2. Mary PratherMay 24, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    What a beautiful post. I, too, have an older daughter (11) and a younger son (8) -- I'm learning that he has a God given NEED to be a little boy - and he has changed my world so much - for the BETTER!!!

    I just love your words here - thank you! I'm new to your blog and I will be back often!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 24, 2013 at 5:37 AM

      Thank you for sweet comment :) Isn't amazing how different they are?!? Be blessed!

      Delete
  3. SarahMay 24, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    I love this post! It takes the realness of our motherly weaknesses and how silly our expectations can be. Oh Boys...Its amazing how such a little stinker can pull so much out of us. :D I <3 Boys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 24, 2013 at 7:06 AM

      Thanks, Sarah! They are pretty amazing :)

      Delete
  4. UnknownMay 26, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    What a blessing your post is for me. I grew up with two sisters and just my mom and God gave me two boys. Phew - it's a ride. I'm featuring this post. Thanks for linking up at Family Fun Friday.
    Sincerely,
    Monica
    http://happyandblessedhome.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 26, 2013 at 8:20 PM

      Featuring this post!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 26, 2013 at 9:43 PM

      Thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback :) We moms of boys need lots of support! I feel honored and blessed to be featured.

      Delete
  5. Aprille @ beautifulinhistime.comMay 27, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I could have written this word for word. Mine is only two but I'm exasperated on a daily, if not hourly basis--while loving him with all of my heart. It's exhausting being a boy mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 27, 2013 at 8:00 PM

      Oh yes, I can definitely relate :) Thanks for commenting! Blessings to you.

      Delete
  6. joanna stoltzfusMay 28, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    Thanks for writing this, the realness and the reality blessed me beyond words. Can I relate???? ABSOLUTLY!!!! I love my boys, but yes, they take me to my knee's many many times, they are showing me so many of my imperfections! god bless your day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 28, 2013 at 6:23 AM

      Amen! Thank you for your honesty. Blessings to you :)

      Delete
  7. GabbyMay 30, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    So precious. May we all let our little boys be BOYS--rough and tumble, and nothing like us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 30, 2013 at 7:38 PM

      Absolutely! Thank you for your comment! Blessings to you :)

      Delete
  8. RF DietzMay 31, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    This is cute, but now I'm scared that my cute little baby boy is going to be a psychological terrorist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 31, 2013 at 1:14 PM

      Not completely sure what that means in connection to this post - but I hope my post didn't sound harsh! Boys are a wonderful blessing - but can definitely be a challenge to mamas (we just don't think the same way!). Enjoy your sweet little one, and as he grows you will learn to adapt to his curious mind and adventurous spirit! Blessings :)

      Delete
  9. UnknownJune 4, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Can your boy and my boys be friends? Cuz they'd get along GREAT! I love your heart, Emily! I always leave here looking up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 6, 2013 at 4:50 AM

      I wish we lived close enough for our boys to be friends! I would enjoy visiting with you and letting our boys run wild ;) I really appreciate your support and feedback - you are a blessing to me!

      Delete
  10. MoeJune 6, 2013 at 5:59 AM

    Raising a boy is like nothing I have ever done before. He is crazy and wild and loud and a constant ball of never ending energy with a stubborn streak the size of Texas. I am following you on facebook now and look forward to more commiseration with another boy mom. Check out my wild child at: www.adventureswithcaptaindestructo.com

    ReplyDelete

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