Practical Words for Encouraging Your SonSample

Day Seven

“You are growing, even in your mistakes.”

Scripture: Psalm 139; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Our son had so many fun plans scheduled for the weekend that I wondered how he could get his term paper written by Monday morning. 

“Are you sure your paper will be ready to turn in on time?” I asked him.

“Oh, yes,” he assured me. And all seemed fine, right up until Sunday night.  

There he was at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, with only 250 of the assigned 750 to 1,000 words written. I tiptoed into his room to check his progress and saw the panic—and the accompanying emotion—in his eyes. 

My mother’s heart ached for him. Everything in me had said to help him out and make him sit down to work on the paper earlier. But his father had wisely stopped me, knowing our son was old enough to figure these things out for himself.

In the end, our son turned in a completed paper. But he had to stay up much of the night to finish it, and we all knew it was hardly his best work and would affect his grade accordingly. 

I know I’m not the only mother who’s wanted to save her son from a bad choice. But even when they are young, we can start giving them room to govern themselves. If we’re willing to do that, we’re preparing them for a great future. 

When we do see our sons making better choices—such as responding with a better attitude and doing jobs without having to be told—we can affirm that.

Your son might not be able to see that kind of growth for himself. It’s not unlike when a child doesn’t realize how much taller they’ve grown until they stand up against a wall, and you make that small pencil mark showing the inches they’ve gained in the previous months. 

Let your son know that you’ve watched him make better choices, and tell him what a difference it is making and how much you admire him for it. Point out that he is not only growing taller but also growing in maturity and wisdom. 

Father, how patient you are with us, Your children! In Your mercy You even turn our weaknesses to strengths. Thank you for the ways you are helping [name] mature spiritually and for all the ways You are using him to help me grow as well. Amen.