David was NOT perfect. By any means.

And neither are any of us.

Despite those many imperfections, David was a man of integrity.

I found this resonating throughout Cliff Graham’s novel Day of War and this is how David demonstrated it…

1. He showed up.

David was THERE with his troops. He fought along side them. He stayed at camp with them. He was a part of the common crowd even though he was anointed to rule.

And men LOVED him for this. They knew they could trust him because his life was at stake along with theirs.

2. He was real.

David did not ever claim to be the perfect man. He took some big stumbles, but he always went back to God, asked for forgiveness and moved forward seeking God even more.

Seriously, David’s “stumbles” make some of our struggles look pretty darn small, but he didn’t pretend to be perfect to impress those he was leading. We see in his Psalms the “realness” of his emotion – anguish, sorrow, joy, awe. He laid it all out there for everyone to see.

So what can we learn from David as parents?

If we are to raise our sons to be men of integrity, we need to do just as David did…

1. Show up.

Be there with your children and BE WITH THEM. Walk through their struggles and successes together. Be their biggest supporter and consistent with your consequences. Be intentional and present – they WILL notice.

Be a person of your word and teach them to be as well – my husband feels very strongly about instilling this in our boys and it is a HUGE part of having ntegrity.

2. Be real.

Don’t come off as the perfect person. And don’t expect it of your children either. Let them know you’ve screwed up and show them how to handle it – prayer, confession, forgiveness and so on.

Be the same person no matter who you are around – no masks, fake personalities. Show your children that you are proud of who God made you and they should feel the same about themselves.

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I am so thankful for examples in the Bible of imperfect people who manage to overcome their shortcomings and continue to walk in integrity.

Our boys need to know that integrity is part of who God calls them to be as strong, godly leaders in this world.

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Who is your favorite man of integrity to use as an example for your sons?

I’m not sure what the sea is yet. I don’t know if it’s just life, the boys, my own thoughts, or what. But I feel lost. I went around and around on what to share today.

What to say to help lift others up and encourage you all to be your best. Yet, here I am not my best. I’m not feeling lifted. I feel low and confused. Perhaps it’s the cabin fever I’m getting as well there is no snow but the heat is too much to even go swimming.

The other day my husband and boys were goofing around. Earlier I had just tied their blankets for them as capes. Our oldest Hunter asked him to retie his blanket. While what Marty said in response at first was nothing of importance or even unique it hit me.

You don’t need a cape to be a superhero.

I think lately I’ve been so worried about my cape and supermom status that I’ve lost sight of myself. I don’t write poetry like I use to. I haven’t written in my boys’ journals in such a long time I can’t find them. That cape is way too tight.

The rest of his conversation was a little more touching. While I don’t remember the exact words but I do remember the message. He told him about all the “superhero” throughout comic and movie history that don’t have capes. My husband then closed with “You can be anyone you want to be. It’s up to you to make it happen.”

Got your “awe” ready?

Karter who happened to be just listening as his older brother and dad talked finally spoke up to say “Daddy, I want to be you cause you are super strong and nice.” So today as I’ve been in the emotional dark I was thinking about what my husband said and just the quiet moments between him and the kids. It got me thinking about how God is light and how through Jesus we can do anything – be anything!

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. ~ Philippians 4:13 The Message

Reading that I feel lifted and less lost in the sea. I feel ready for tomorrow and pray that teaching moments will come and that I will know what to say and not just motivation through comics but in ways that the boys will understand through Him and of Him.

Do you ever feel lost?

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Please join us July 28, 2011 for the first annual Boy Mom BlogHop! Read here for all the juicy details and get your posts ready to link-up!