Monday, March 16, 2009

On Raising Boys...


"I'm all new at this business... I'm not so sure how to do it right, see?


(But) Ain't so hard as all that. Mostly it just takes lookin' at a kid right in the eyes when he tells you somethin' he thinks is wonderful but maybe to you it don't amount to a hill of beans. You gotta remember that everything is new to a kid...


I'm gonna put hammers in the hands of my boys. I'm gonna let them help me build up this place again, and they'll feel good about what they done, too.



I think a kid... any kid at all... mostly just wants to do good. Sure, they ain't gonna do everything just right the first time, but that ain't a sin. That's just what learnin' is all about. Make a mistake. Try again. Do it a little better next time- and better yet, the next time.


Everything's new and wonderful to a kid... They think they can sprout wings and fly. They believe everything they imagine is possible... I reckon that's what the Lord meant when He said we ought to be like little children. They have faith still. They still believe they can move mountains.


Maybe their souls remember what it was like to be in heaven where maybe they really could fly. Then we grow up and learn about gravity, and we become grave in our hearts. And then we stop believing.


Well, life will turn out hard for them soon enough. It has a way of doin' that, I reckon. But I do not want to be the one to tell my boys they can't move mountains. No, sir. I look at my sons, and I think... yes, sir, Lord, maybe all things really are possible.

Maybe man was meant to fly. Meant to build great cities. Meant to say to this mountain be moved into the sea... and then find a way to make it happen.


That's what I want to give my boys. If I can do that...

(And) Where do (we) begin?


Right here (with our hearts). Listen to him. Look at him. Teach him what's right, but give him room to make mistakes, just like (we) have made mistakes. Someday he may hurt you. Kids do sometimes. It's part of it, I expect. There will be times when you gotta forgive him, like maybe he has to forgive you.

It ain't easy... but it's worth it.

Live every day like that, and love will just happen."

~Bodie Thoene

(excerpt from "Say to this Mountain", 3rd book in "The Shiloh Legacy" taken from pages 153-155)

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I realize that this conversation is between two fathers speaking about their sons... but it rang so true for me as well that I wanted to record it here to help me remember.


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Photos of my boys... just being boys between 2004 and 2009

15 comments:

  1. It's simply beautiful, Katrina. Rang true for me too.

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  2. Gorgeous! I love the pictures... and the words are so beautiful! I love you my sister! You are a inspiration to me!

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  3. It's wonderful Katrina! There was such a truth spoken in those words and it was so fun to see your boys enjoying life!

    Sending my love,
    Carrie

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  4. Oh how sweet and what a great reminder! Thanks for the inspiration my friend!

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  5. This is lovely and sweet. This should be a featured article in the Parenting Magazine. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!!

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  6. >>Maybe their souls remember what it was like to be in heaven where maybe they really could fly. Then we grow up and learn about gravity, and we become grave in our hearts. <<

    I've been thinking about this alot. I wanna FLY! I wanna embrace life and be full to the brim of heavenly joy. Loved this post, thanks for sharing.

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  7. Beautifully paced and pieced together.

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  8. Oh, and you chose such appropriate pictures which make those words speak! I love the picture on the tire swing! Great job!

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  9. We have such a short time when we are charged with raising our young children. They grow so fast. Your post is a wonderful reminder to let them make the most of every opportunity as they grow. And making mistakes is just part of the process :)

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  10. Boys...what a joy they must be! Thank you for sharing such a great post...it seems that it can hold true for any child :) Even my three girls!

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  11. **a big heart smile from me**

    I so relate as you will see in my post today (3/17)

    Wonderfully recorded words and images, Katrina. You have a knack for that.

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  12. This reminded me once again how important it is that we be there for our children -- not just physically, but emotionally as well. And how important it is that we pray for our children. Who knows them better than our mighty God?

    Thank you for sharing!

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  13. I forgot to mention!! I love all the photos. What darlings!

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  14. Very sweet. I ran across your blog from simple beauty. I too am working on photography.... not necessarily nature though.... beautiful pictures.

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I appreciate your thoughts and read each and every one... thank you!