I am one of five, 4 girls and 1 boy.
My husband is one of five, 4 girls and 1 boy.
The genetic “math” then to us seemed as if we were likely to produce girls.
When we had our 20 week scan with OUR number five and for the first time we asked to be told
the sex, I think we were both rather shocked to learn that we were now the proud (slightly stunned)
parents of THREE boys and two girls.
THREE boys! Having only had a younger brother and my husband the only boy,
we felt like we were treading uncharted water.
When I watch my Mr 7 constructing intricately designed robots out of legos with a myriad of
weapons, dodge my Mr 3 as he catapults himself through the house with vehicles in hand or gaze
at the big blue wondering eyes of Mr 4 months, I am in awe of the task God has given us.
How are we to raise strong, virtuous, faithful men in a world that will do everything to pull them down?
So we are on a journey to discover what weapons we need to give our boys to fight the good fight.
This post I’m going to pick up HUMILITY.
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)
Well St James really hands it to us.
God will resist the proud.
If my boys are to grow in a relationship with God, then they must learn true humility.
Ouch. Humility hurts.
Humility is something we all rebel against and in a world that encourages us to strive daily to
achieve more, be more successful, earn more, own more… to be bigger and better in every way, it
is not surprising that it strikes us hard.
“The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all
how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it.”
Saint Vincent de Paul
The weapon of humility therefore is something our sons MUST know how to wield. So how do we
go about teaching them true humility?
Firstly, we teach them about God.
NOT the vague, white bearded “God is watching us from a distance”, warm fuzzy character..
BUT the Alpha and Omega, omnipotent, GREAT I AM!!!
Small children have the incredible gift of grappling with and understanding the profound mysteries
of faith, because in their innocence they can believe without questioning and trust without fear.
They will listen to the story of Creation with wide eyed wonder and questioning minds!
They will marvel at the powerful God who strikes terror into the heart of Egypt to free His people!
They will cheer as the boy David slays the giant Goliath not by his might but by the power of God!
They will sit one eye covered, one eye open through the passion and death of Jesus, growing in deep respect
for a God who would suffer so much for them!
And through coming to understand the Awesomeness of God their Father,
they will come to understand their smallness, their weakness…
and that is the beginning of humilty.
They must then learn how to grow in humility not despair.
This part is a life long journey, but it can and needs to be taught to our boys from very young.
Put God first.
FIRST!
Not as an after thought, but as their first thought in all that they do.
“Ad maiorem Dei gloriam” (For the Greater Glory of God)
No matter what they are doing, or who they are doing it with, EVERYTHING is done for the
Glory of God. All good, all praise is due to Him and they are merely his hands and feet in this
world. Their mission (my boys like missions) is to give God glory whether it be in their actions
towards others, their school work, sport, altar serving etc.
If that is their focus then the seed of
Humility has a chance to grow.
If they do something well and are acclaimed for it, they can rejoice and point to their Father in
Heaven saying “God is merciful and good. Let us give thanks!”.
If they work hard at their school and receive praise or awards, we can teach them to accept
gratiously, thank God, place their future once again in His hands, asking Him to guide them. If
they do well at sport, we can teach them to serve others and help the less skilled. We can teach
them to put the person first before the game outcome. We can teach them to play hard and well and
if there is success, be always curteous to the opposition and not boastful.
And at the end of each day, we can teach them how to examine their consciences and humble their
wee hearts in prayer, asking God for forgiveness.
Here is a great examination of conscience for children...
http://catholicparents.org/oxcart/examinationchild.html
Little step by little step we can equip our sons with the weapon of humilty, and let us not forget
that we too must be humble… mind you…. children have quite the knack of teaching us, their
parents, humility in quite orginal ways!!
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes
men as angels.”
–Saint Augustine
Next weapon: Self Control
Blessings!
Ruth
Pulchra Doctrina 