March 29th, 2018

​I would consider myself a girly girl.
I think doing my make-up and hair is fun. I like to dress up. Tea parties are my thing. Anything princess and I am all over it.
 
But I have two little boys.
I have a four year old son and a 2 year old son.
They are total all-around boys!
They like to jump around the furniture, play in the dirt, be super heroes, wrestle around, and constantly throw things.
 
I am raising young men.  I am molding, teaching, and training up men of God. Boys who will someday become leaders, husbands, and fathers.
 
This is a huge responsibility – especially as a single mom.
 
These are some of the prayers I have for these little, wild, loud, rambunctious, boys.

1. I pray that they will learn strength is not just physical. So often I think that we view strength as something that is only physical. Its about big muscles and being the boss. Strength is shown as who is the leader. Strength is even shown as manipulation.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:7

My hope is that my boys will see the strength in being kind. The strength in sharing their feelings. The strength in praising the Lord. The strength in working hard. The strength in honoring one another. The strength in patience. The strength that is found in God.

2. I pray that they will find their confidence but not suffocate others with it. I want my boys to know their worth. I feel like we tell our little girls over and over again about how they are worth more then rubies (which is totally true!) but our little boys get the pass over on that. Boys still need to learn their worth. They still need to know they are valuable. Boys need to learn from a young age that they matter. That they have a voice. They need to learn that they are also priceless. And not in a way that encourages them to be cocky. It’s not about them being better then anyone else or above anyone else. It is not about their looks or their “swag”. Their worth is not based on how popular they are, how good they are at sports, or on how many girls like them.  Its about knowing WHO they are because they know their identity in Christ. They have found that confidence in God. The boys know how precious they are because they know how precious they are to the Lord.

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. – Isaiah 32:7

I don’t want my boys to run around with a “look at me look at me” attitude but I do want them to know their worth. Because when we know our worth and how to be treated… we in turn treat others that way.

3. I pray that they will love the Lord. I do not want my boys to follow Christ because of a set of rules or because I TOLD them to. I want them experience God on their own. I hope that my children will see their single momma holding it together, praying, fasting, worshipping, crying out to God, treating others kindly, serving the body of Christ, donating time and energy, trusting the Lord, giving Him praise, reading the Word, speaking about all that the Lord has done, and so they will desire to live that out too. I don’t want them to have a religion because their mom brought them to church… I want them to have a RELATIONSHIP because they experienced it for themselves.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
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Its not about rules or regulations or following orders or any of that. It’s about love. And at the end of it all I want my boys to know that.
 
Raising young men is not easy. It’s actually very messy (you should see the walls in my new house).
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It can often feel overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea how to raise boys… especially not on my own. Which is why I am so so thankful that I have God as my foundation.
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher then I. – Psalm 61:2
 
I would have never pictured myself as a “BoyMom” and although I still beg the boys if we can watch Frozen from time to time….I would say I am learning to rock at it!
 
Xxoo, Monica 

Monica Rodriguez

​Monica is a BoyMom, lover of Jesus, appreciator of all things pink, and a self proclaimed romantic. She is navigating through life as a single momma to two little ones with coffee in her hand and grace in her heart. Monica's desire is to inspire and be inspired; sharing hope as she clings to it as well. She is California-raised but now resides in Missouri with her two precious boys.

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