Do You Have a Successful Son?

Is your son successful?  Most every mother would answer a resounding YES to a question like that!  But, who defines success?  What does success look like?  What does it take to be successful?

My oldest son is now 20 years old.  When he was young and in school, he was surrounded by a group of diverse boys he went to class with, was in clubs with and played sports with.  These were a great group of boys all with different backgrounds and circumstances.  I watched through the years some of these boys develop great intelligence and educational vision and purpose, some become great ball players and others grow some great personality and integrity.  Now that these boys are graduated, they are just as diverse.  Some attend college and seem to be well on their way to success, some still live in our small town and are entering adutlhood and the job force. 

But the measure of success is not always as it appears.  Looking at the boy who never made less than an "A" and has embraced numerous successful endeavors would surely be seen as a success.  But I saw another success story recently. 

Another 20 year old boy who stayed in our small town, got a job and has overcome some difficult circumstances was at my youngest son's football game.  His younger brother was playing on the same team.  The young brother was on the field playing and got slightly injured.  Nothing serious, but he as sitting on the bench, catching his breath.  The older brother walked on the field, up to the bench, sat down and put his arm around his little brother to make sure he was okay.  Intelligence and education make for success, but may we never forget about the characteristics of kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness.

Success is not defined by eduction, career, finances, friends or possessions.  A successful son can be found described in Psalms 1:

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. 

That's the success I'm looking for!  A son with wisdom and integrity, perseverance and a love for the Lord. Although on my own, I cannot make success happen, but our Lord can.  A mother's prayers are a powerful part of a son's success.  Moms, may we never cease to pray for our sons, believing for them to become a success - in God's eyes and in God's ways!