Men-in-Training Mantra

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I am a proud mother of all boys!

That's the happy and exciting part. I am a mother who has to raise boys to become men. Still happy and exciting, but did you hear that responsibility and did you feel the energy that just left me?

I find myself constantly thinking, searching, and praying for more ways to lead these sweet boys into godly men who He is pleased with and I am proud of.

Here's what's true: men are leaders. Regardless of degree, all men are called to lead in some way. Maybe they lead the country, a company, a church, or their families. Maybe they lead a missions trip or a group of boys in junior basketball. It does not matter how you slice the cake, men are leaders.

As parents, our job is to teach them who to follow and how to lead.

Sometimes, we allow society to determine how we should view roles instead of the Bible. I'm trying to empty myself of my societal brainwashing and allow the Lord to fill me up with His word. So, when I tell my son that he must first be a servant, he won't look at me strangely, as if he's unfamiliar with English, and reply, “servant?!”

Oh, Lord, how can I teach my boys about service and leadership? How can I show them these concepts go hand-in-hand? Then He reminds me–your home is training ground. You're always thinking about teaching. Do not forsake training.

I began to ponder what soldiers do. I thought of drills, skills, and responses to commands which appear automatic but we all know they've been trained to respond in a certain way to specific calls. Light bulb!

The question now became, if I had to be my sons' “trainer” what would we look like? What would I “command?” How would they respond? I came to find out that teaching is a matter of knowing. But training is a matter of doing. And all soldiers are trained to obey orders. But, before soldiers are expected to fight, they are taught how to respond (what to do). So I made a list.

I'd want my boys to respond:

to any life event with an assurance of their position as a leader. Never be a follower of man, only Jesus.
with an accurate account of who and what they are.
with an understanding of their servanthood.
with a love for Christ.
like they want the prize.

I thought about their adult lives. I thought about their souls. I wondered how I could sum up the plan for their lives both in body and spirit.

Lord, this is what I want. What now?

Soldiers learn series of information. It's procedural. There's always an order and form to follow. Once trained, there's hardly any “new” information. They simply do all they have been trained to do in various situations.

You know how the general declares a command and then the soldiers reply back? Maybe I could do something similar. I could ask a question and they answer back on cue. It would be like getting them ready for “battle” by training their minds to think like a leader but act like a servant.

Yes. Grab a pen.

I know I am not the only mother who desperately seeks to train godly leaders. I'd like to encourage you to seek the Lord for how this should look in your home with your family.

For us, after our devotions are complete and we cover our day in prayer, we recite our Men-in-Training Mantra. It's a special time where I can sow the heart of the Father and my heart into my boys through their leadership and service. As I call the questions, the boys respond. They even assume what they call the military position–salute and all. Their minds and hearts are being trained and it is such a joy to witness.

I pray our mantra rests well in your hearts and homes too.