Seriously, when did the army move in? These little men were once tiny tots who fit sweetly in my lap, were captivated by the sound of my animated story telling, and wanted little more than for me to reach down with unending hugs and kisses…

Now it’s an all out war some days… Mounds of muddy uniforms, heaps of grub inhaled in seconds, battle wounds, smelly feet, sucker punches amongst them, holes in walls, running, jumping, swords and sling shots, thunderous stampedes like a whirlwind through the house… Raising boys is no walk through the park people.

They turned fourteen, twelve and ten this year. We’ve long ago traded in the bouncy balls for dodge balls and match cars for roller blades and rip sticks. Independence is riding alone up to the comic book store, being dropped off at the movie theater, bank accounts and making their own financial choices. Just thinking about it all brings me to a sweat…

We trust the Lord, but we feel the pressure. All too soon we’ll be releasing them into this big ol’ world and the greatest battle is in preparing them for life outside of our domain. Above all else, we want them to know and love and choose and follow the Lord. We want to teach them diligently and to instill in them what is right and what is true. The ultimate battleground isn’t the one in my home, but the one in the world that it fights against the enemy and for it we encourage our growing soldiers to take up the shield of faith, put on the breastplate of righteousness and the gospel of peace and to stand firm in the Lord and trust his good plan and perfect ways.