What is it about a son that makes you want to be a better woman?
This boy, my son, is another reason I choose to walk through the pain in order to be whole.
My hope is that he has a mom who loves and accepts herself so that he has permission to love and accept himself too.
A mom he sees who will stand against abuse, control or manipulation so that he knows as a man he is not to use his power to hurt, control, abuse or manipulate others especially women and especially his wife.
A mom he sees loves, honors and respects his dad so that he knows how he deserves to be loved, respected and honored by his future wife.
A mom who radiates confidence not looking for anyone especially her husband to be responsible to fill the void in her heart giving her son the freedom to know he is not anyone’s savior nor is a woman duty to be his savior.
A mom who is comfortable with herself and able to trust so that she can love open handily letting go of the need to control so that he knows he has permission to belong to himself and live the adventurous life God has for him.
A mom who is compassionate about caring for humanity and creation so that his heart will break and have empathy for people and the world around him.
A mom who refuses to shrink back or hide so that he will hold onto that same courage and boldness and not give in to the temptation to conform to who the world tells him who he should be.
A mom who stands against injustice so that he will use his voice and privilege to care for minorities and the oppressed.
A mom who laughs, smile, not afraid to make mistakes and enjoys the moment in front of her so that he will not be a workaholic knowing how to play and not having to wait until one day to enjoy his life now.
A mom who faces her fears and walks through pain and suffering so that he has permission to grieve and be honest with himself.
A mom who doesn’t wear a mask, trying to live up to an image or believe the lie of perfection. So that he is able to be free of trying to live up to someone else’s expectation.
A mom who forgives.
A mom who gives grace.
A mom who knows she is enough.
A mom who respects herself and has healthy boundaries so that he is able to say no and respect the other people’s boundaries too.
A mom who doesn’t try to fix but accepts.
A mom who doesn’t blame instead takes responsibility.
A woman who is not a victim but a victor.
A mom who dreams.
A mom who takes risks and says yes to adventure.
A mom who shows her kids that you don’t have to let go of your identity in order to be a wife and a mom. Marriage is about compromise and working together as one while also staying true to yourself.
A mom who thinks for herself.
A mom who leads and also can be lead.
A mom who knows how to asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of great strength.
A mom who loves the church but fights against religion trying to confirm her but instead allowing God to conform her into His image.
A mom who chooses and says yes to her family instead of being cool and liked by people who don’t really matter.
A mom who knows the importance of continuing to giving birth to the healthiest version of herself so that he knows how to love himself and in return will be the healthiest version of himself and be the husband and daddy he has been called to be.
A mom who is open so that when he is a grown man he knows he can trust her with his dreams, pain, and struggles.
A mom who knows the greatest gift she can give her son’s future wife is a man who is whole.
Most importantly a mom who unashamedly loves Jesus in hopes he will continue to boldly love and follow Jesus too.
Moms, don’t underestimate the power you have to raise, love, equip and inspire your son to greatness.
Everything beautiful in you lives in him too.
There really is something so special about a mom and her boy that doesn’t allow us to give up on ourselves.
