Fall 2007
August 28th, 2007 by WadeFall 2007
Fall has arrived! For my wife and I, it means getting our boys ready for a new school year, among other things. It’s no easy task. There’s shopping for school clothes and school supplies, going to school orientations and getting the kids in the swing of a new routine. Once school starts, it means getting the kids up early, making lunches, and helping with homework. It’s all worth it, but it’s a lot of work.
In the midst of all the busy-ness, I found myself wondering what it would be like to have to do it all by myself. What if it was just me getting the kids ready for school, making breakfast, making sure I was at work on time, working all day, coming home to make dinner, helping the kids with homework, then getting them in bed. It’s exhausting to even consider. There seems to be little, if any, time left over for “me.”
I wondered, too, what it would look like for a mom who’s child was being mentored. What if once or twice a week someone picked up the kids and took them out to dinner? What if someone else helped a few times each week with homework? What would happen if that mom had a few moments alone to care for herself or to pursue her interests, even if those interests involved just getting some sleep? I think life would be a bit easier knowing that someone is helping carry the load.
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
With God there are no coincidences. I believe that truth even more today as I came across your website through almost six degrees of separation. I am a single mother in Austin, TX, who has experienced and recognized the cause and effect of one child with the imprint of a mentor in their life and the other child having that critical mentor absent. They are both precious, gifted young men - both under twenty-two and very capable of equal success. One had the opportunity, the other didn’t. One is an honor student on the Dean’s list in college and the other equally precious child to me and to God is in prison. Today my prayers were answered for someone who “got” the idea of how important Christian mentors are to young men whose fathers were absent. My prayers to find a mentor for my eldest child were answered today when I was led to the subject and your foundation website. It was like a love letter from God, a treasure hunt when you really think of it - when what started as reading one email, with a link to a website, turned into another link for another website, then back to the website on the original email topic which all had totally nothing to do with your subject, other than Him, being the common thread. On that fourth website I saw a quote from you which inspired me. I almost stopped there, but I clicked on the link which brought me to your website and the Foundation. Wow. Good Stuff. God is so awesome. Let’s visit soon.
October 11th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I have contemplated these very things; wondering if something were to happen to my wife how I would raise my son alone. I had a father growing up, but sometimes I almost wished I hadn’t, because he was abusive. So although I had a father, he did not teach me how to be a “good” man.
I read Donald Miller’s book “To Own A Dragon” and found it helpful and inspiring. My son is 7 months old and I still fear and worry that I will not be a good example, that I am ill equipped to be a father and unable to teach him the things he needs to know to be a great man. I am reminded by my wife that I am nothing like my father and that my relationship with my Heavenly Father will guide me and make up for my shortcomings.
I don’t feel ready yet, but one day I want to be a mentor, in fact, I hope to make it a lifetime pursuit.
Peace,
The REAL Dude
McKinney, Texas
http://therealdude.blogspot.com
October 13th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
What a great foundation! I grew up in a family that looked “normal” with 2 parents, but faced much abuse, both from my parents and an older brother. I had no idea what men were supposed to be like and subsequently married an abusive guy who eventually took off and left me to raise my 3 boys alone. They are now teens (17, 15, 12) and have become incredible young men. Positive Christian men have been unbelievable and necessary influences in their lives and although they experienced the “bad” in their father, they have experienced much more of the “good” in others. It has been very intentional and has taken effort. But the results are amazing!
In turn, my oldest was asked to become a “big brother” to an 11 year old neighbor boy whose mom sees the value of mentoring (his father is in prison for drug charges) and trying to show this young boy positive influences. My 15 year old has felt a calling into ministry and is connecting with many and is beginning to have influence in many ways (you can check his blog at http://mattw23.wordpress.com
Being a single mom is not easy. Being a single mom with good Christian men around to be role models to young boys gives hope…thank you for doing this. It is needed.