(My Boy Mom Monday devos came to a halt in January because, well, cancer. I’m still committed to making my way through the Proverbs in prayer for my boys, and now that cancer is no longer occupying 100% of my time and energy, I’m ready to get back to it. I’d love for you to join me. Our boys need praying mamas.)
Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
During my freshman year of college, I made a decision that I knew was contrary to what God wanted for me. I tried to ignore the voice inside of me that kept reminding me I was heading the wrong direction.
Sometimes it was easy. And sometimes it was hard.
It was easy when I hung out with people who didn’t have a problem with my choice. People who were not going to “judge me” as we are so fond of saying these days.
It was hard when I was surrounded by people who wanted to keep me accountable to scripture. Though I had given my life to Christ at a young age and mostly wanted to live according to his ways, I had this one area where I willing disobeyed, and I kind of wanted to keep it that way.
My first thought when I realized I’d be sharing a dorm floor my sophomore year with a lot of Christians was “Oh crap, I’m gonna be convicted about this sin all the time.”
And I was.
I shared living space with young women who saw my sin and weren’t afraid to call me out, and it was just what I needed. It was a tough decision, but I turned from that sin. And now, 20+ years later, I’m still extremely grateful for the friends who helped me turn around.
I thank God for putting women in my life who weren’t afraid to call a sin a sin and who loved me through a broken heart; the result of my sin.
I pray that as my kids grow and make bad choices, (and they will no doubt make some bad choices) that they will have friends who love them enough to call them out. And that they will be sensitive enough to accept the truth in the form of a loving rebuke and change their ways.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that as my kids grow, you will deepen their friendships with guys who will not stand by and let them choose sin. I ask specifically for friends who will be bold enough and loving enough to call them out when needed, and will see them through as they deal with the consequences of their bad choices. Amen
