I had pre-ordered this book and was so very excited to receive it in the mail last week. And I thought it was really cool that the authors signed the book! I just finished it today and can say that I LOVED it! It’s a great read for parents who what to raise up Godly MEN from the boys their families have been blessed with. It’s so full of practical, Godly advice on how to raise sons. The Youngs have 6 boys (and 2 girls), so they have many examples of what has worked (or not) for them. The part I appreciated most about the book was that with every example they gave, they went back to the Scriptures to back it up or explain why certain things are the way they are. My boys are sure different than I am (the only girl in this house) and so much of what they do and think, I just don’t understand. This book helped me to be able to get into their minds just a little bit and it explained a quite a few things to me! It gave very specific, useful advice on how to use those “boy differences” to help them succeed. It was a very enjoyable read, I even laughed out loud a few times! Ah, so my boys aren’t the ONLY ones who do that!! : ) I know that I will be reading and rereading this book for many years to come. I’m actually wanting to read through it again right now, because it was really full of so many good ideas that I want to be sure I gain as much as possible from it now.

One of my favorite quotes from the book goes along with the title of this blog and really speaks to what we want for our boys. Page 222 “We don’t aim to hold on to our arrows all the way to the target. They’re not push-pins, they’re meant to fly. Our job is to shape and prepare the arrows so when they are released, they fly straight and true on their own. The time is coming when they will leave our quiver and depart on their life’s mission, as we have to prepare then – and ourselves – for that launch.”

Do you have boys?? If so, I’d encourage you to read this book – you won’t regret it!

Corina Garayua

Arrows in the Hand

An adventure is really anything that involves risk.  A careless risk undertaken thoughtlessly or in pursuit of a thrill is recklessness, but a hazard confronted for the glory of God is a different matter altogether.  This desire in our sons can be met by teaching them to face their fears head on-by public speaking or by taking on the responsibility of an adult or by learning to swim.  It can be fed rappelling down a cliff or walking ten miles or interacting in a foreign language.  It certainly includes sharing the gospel – nearly always an adventure.  Teach your sons to take good risks, reasonable, godly risks.  Teach them to love godly adventure and stand back and see what God has in mind for them!

If you have boys, and you want to raise them to be Godly, real men, this is a must read. Your guys are only young for a short time, so why not equip yourself with the knowledge the Youngs share.  They know what it’s like to walk in your shoes in the wonderful world of boys.

Kathy Davis
www.homeschoolbuzz.com