Sweet boy, you are a young man now, almost ready to go out into the world on your own, starting your senior year of high school.  You have had to walk through things that a lot of kids your age have not, have had to deal with issues that most have no clue about.  I’ve been thinking about what a good, godly man looks like a lot lately, and so this is your mother’s opinion, and it’s my hope and prayer for you.

A good, whole, godly man listens to that voice inside him that says there is Something bigger. And he does something about it. He doesn’t just take on what his parents have taught him, but he figures it out for himself. And then he lives what he believes, even when it’s difficult.

A good, whole, godly man believes he was created for a purpose and seeks to find what that purpose is. He lives it out. He realizes life is a gift, and not about him, and does good with his one life.

A good, whole, godly man has friends that he cares about and helps out and shares his thoughts and burdens with, because this life can be hard and lonely, and friends make it so much better.

A good, whole, godly man is respectful to his parents, even when he disagrees with them.

A good, whole, godly man is respectful to and protective of his siblings.

A good, whole, godly man looks for a woman to share his life with who he can take care of, not who he can abuse and lie to. He won’t look for someone who is gorgeous or who laughs at all his jokes. He will look for someone he can serve, gladly, his whole life.  Someone he can be a pillar for, not someone she needs protection from.

A good, whole, godly man admits when he’s wrong and says he’s sorry and tries to do better next time.

A good, whole, godly man keeps his word, even when it’s hard, and tells the truth, even when it hurts.

A good, whole, godly man takes care of himself, in mind, body and spirit. He enjoys learning new things. He eats to nourish himself. He uses his body with care. He doesn’t poison himself. He doesn’t allow outside forces to become the driving force of his life, making sure addictions never take hold and choke out the abundant life. He fosters his relationship with the God who created him.

A good, whole, godly man thinks of others and how he can help and how he can make their lives better, not what he can take for himself, how he can hide all his sins, how he can get someone back.

You’re on the right track, precious son, despite it all. Heck, maybe because of what you’ve gone through.  You are just now becoming who you’re going to be, who God has created you to be.  You are loved, by me and by God and by many, many others, and we are all cheering you on as you move into who you are supposed to be.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. – I Corinthians 15:58

If this post resonated with you, Moving on as a Christian Single Mom will also help.