Isn’t it amazing how much you can learn in one trip to the library?
Most every week I take one . . . or more . . . of the boys with me for a Library Date.
Yesterday, I took all three boys – ages 8, 10, and 12.
The boys raced for the entrance door, but then the oldest stayed behind and held the door open for the person who had come up the walk behind us.
Warming my mother’s heart.
Still smiling as we walked toward the Children’s section, I watched as our youngest boy cut right in front of this white-haired lady. Nearly knocking her off her feet. Whoosh!
I gasped a little.
Thankfully, she was sweet about it.
But honestly!
I pulled my son in close to me and whispered in his ear, “Son, don’t you see what you just did? You ran in front of that lady and nearly tripped her to the ground.”
His intelligent response went something like this . . . .
“Huh??”
The word oblivious comes to mind.
And that’s what got me thinking . . .
I’ve got some teaching to do. Maybe it’s not the end of the world to have your 8-year-old racing through the library and nearly taking out every elderly lady in his path. But I wanted more for him than that.
Way more than that.
I want our young sons to learn to look after others, to be mindful of the world around them, and to be ready for their calling when God gives it.
So we still have some important things to learn around here—some things that you don’t necessarily learn from the library.
And some . . . that I guess you do.
12 Lessons I Want Our Son to Learn Before He Turns 12
1. The Benefit of Kindness. Offering kindness to others is a both a blessing to the other person and to yourself. Go out of your way to show kindness to others and you’ll be the better man for it.
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. ~ Prov. 11:17
2. The Value of Hard Work. It might not feel pleasant at the time, but there’s nothing like the satisfaction of a job well-done and the reward of giving it all you’ve got.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men ~ Col. 3:23
3. The Power of Self-Control. Learning to get a grip on yourself and your temper will make you the true winner.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. ~ Prov. 16:32
4. The Gift of Good Manners. Taking the trouble to choose politeness will more than pay off. Good manners will open more doors than kicking one down ever will.
“Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” – Theodore Roosevelt
5. The Walk of Humility. The world would have you strutting around, showing off your “stuff” but God has a much better approach. Walk humbly in His strength rather than your own.
What does the LORD require of you . . . but to walk humbly with your God? ~ Mic. 6:8
6. The Blessing of Obedience. Listen to God’s instructions and you’ll experience great blessings—not necessarily in the way some people view blessings, but in much deeper and richer ways than the world will ever know.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments. ~ Ps. 112:1
7. The Honor of Justice. Always uphold that which is good and right – no matter what the personal cost. And fight against injustice wherever you come across it. It’s your privilege and honor to do so.
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. ~ Isa. 1:17
8. The Strength of Serving Others. As God has equipped you, so use those gifts – not to build yourself up – but to offer your talents and skills to help others.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. ~ I Pet. 4:10
9. The Dignity of Respect. Showing respect might be considered somewhat old-fashioned, but it says as much about you – maybe even more – than it does about the other person. Speak and treat others respectfully.
Outdo one another in showing honor. ~ Rom. 12:10
10. The Courage to Do What’s Right. It takes a brave man to stand up for what is right. Be that man and don’t back down from evil. Not ever.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ Rom. 12:21
11. The Delight in God’s Word. Learn to love the Word of God for it is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). Arm yourself with His Word and you will be prepared for whatever you face in life.
Blessed is the man who(se) . . . delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.~ Ps. 1:1-2
12. The Unfailing Love of Christ. No matter what you might encounter in life, nothing . . . no, nothing will keep you from Christ’s love.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ~ Rom. 8:35
All that from one trip to the library.
Pretty amazing, huh? 😉
*The free printable of these 12 Lessons is now available HERE.
In His grace,
P.S. S. And, yes, this would apply to daughters too. Our girls are past 12 now and still learning these lessons and a few more of their own. Kinda like me.
Lisa
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Kim says
May 9, 2019 at 12:51 pmLove this! I can totally relate. Still raising my second and still helping them understand the power of respect. Thanks so much for sharing.:-)
Robbie at Use Resources Wisely says
March 29, 2017 at 7:02 amLisa, this is a fabulous post! Just what I needed to read
Jasmine Alberino says
April 26, 2015 at 12:59 pmI have 4 boys ( ages 9, 5, 3, and 6 months). I am going to print and hang these on our wall! Thank you so much!!
Lisa Jacobson says
April 26, 2015 at 1:58 pmSo glad to hear it, Jasmine! What a wonderful crew of boys you have!
MasonMadensMomma says
October 23, 2014 at 5:00 amThank you for this list of powerful insights.
Christina@toshowthemjesus.com says
September 18, 2014 at 11:30 amExcellent list!
Suzanne says
September 18, 2014 at 10:48 amThank you Lisa! This is a great list.
Anonymous says
September 17, 2014 at 10:42 amNumber 4 scripture? 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners 🙂 Teaching my son it’s important whom he surrounds himself with.
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 5:52 pmOh, great verse! Add Ps. 1 to that one as well. 🙂
ShellyBooBoo says
September 16, 2014 at 7:27 pmHurray for a printable! Love this!!
Heather Fryfogle Strickland says
September 16, 2014 at 5:57 pmI love this Lisa!! I will have to grab the printable when it’s available. Thank you!!
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 5:52 pmComing soon, Heather!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
September 16, 2014 at 5:51 pmThis is a wonderful list of things we should all want our children to learn. As a homeschooling mother, it is easy to get caught up in teaching the 3 R’s, as they say, but oftentimes we need to remember to teach our children the values that make up Godly people. Thanks for this reminder today, Lisa!
Karina León Gilbert says
September 16, 2014 at 1:45 pmI’m printing this AMAZING post to share w/my husband. I don’t have enough words to “Thank you Lisa” It’s pretty challenging to raise a boy.. Great tips!!! Thank you!!!!!! 😀
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 5:53 pmIt IS challenging Karina! Hope these both encourage and inspire!
Chelsia Rief says
September 16, 2014 at 9:55 amWhat a great list. Every Friday, I take the kids to the library and Grace knows exactly what she wants to check out. Eden wanders around and gets distracted with the puzzles and Christian-well HE IS EVERYWHERE! Taking the kids anywhere is daunting, but taking them someplace that is usually pretty quiet can prove to be a challenge and last Friday nearly done me in. But this list is great, that I can use these every week events as a way to teach and help them grow, like at the grocery store, not walking in front of people, or dancing in the aisle-oblivious of the people trying to get by, lol (that would be Eden doing the dancing, not me). I’m going to have to print that list out-it’s so good!
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 6:47 pmDancing sounds like fun! I’ve got a couple of those too…and that even includes the older ones. 🙂
Janelle Esker says
September 16, 2014 at 8:30 amOh my Lisa! What a beautiful post! You always capture my heart…thank you!
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 6:45 pmOne of these days I’m going to meet you in person, Janelle, and I’ll probably hug you. Just thought I’d give you advance notice… 🙂
Sharon Mavis says
September 16, 2014 at 8:22 amWhat a good mother you are! And how many people will be impacted by your awareness and good post. My daughters are 32 and 37 and, although I regret not teaching them some things, I do feel a lot of satisfaction in their kind and serving hearts toward hurting people.
Lisa Jacobson says
September 17, 2014 at 6:48 pmOh, thank you so much Sharon. What a blessing to have daughters with kind and serving hearts – a somewhat rare thing these days. Bless you! ~ Lisa
Shonda Knowlton says
September 16, 2014 at 7:46 amThank you for this! I have a 5 year old son. I want to help him to reach 12 with great skills and character qualities. It’s a process and I appreciate you breaking it down.
Cora Sawatzky says
September 16, 2014 at 6:57 amThanks for putting that into words. Having 4 boys is teaching me many things, and I pray God will give me wisdom to teach them as well. Thanks for all your encouraging posts.
julie says
September 16, 2014 at 6:42 amyes i agree – printable form 🙂
thanks for sharing my friend
SimplySaidMom says
September 16, 2014 at 6:34 amLisa- those “12” were so inspiring! I’m raising boys myself and find that teaching them certain things is much more difficult than with the girls. It would be great if that list was in printable form *wink*wink
Lisa Jacobson says
September 16, 2014 at 7:03 amOne printable of 12 things coming right up! 🙂 (I hope to have it done by next week) Thanks Shannon!
SimplySaidMom says
September 16, 2014 at 7:28 amWay awesome! I can’t wait to share them with my husband and our boys 🙂
Melissa Van Kooten says
September 16, 2014 at 6:05 amWow….not just for children. This pertains to myself as well! Thanks so much for sharing and challenging this Momma! 🙂