It took us nine months to decide what we would name our son. I wanted something that described an adventurous, creative type. For several months of my pregnancy, we settled on the name "Henry". We even had "Henry" decorations at his baby showers!

That is until the day Aric told me he "just didn't think Henry was his name."

Aric came to me with a suggestion, but first gave me what the name actually meant, not the name itself. He read:

People with this name tend to initiate events, to be leaders rather than followers, with powerful personalities. They tend to be focused on specific goals, experience a wealth of creative new ideas, and have the ability to implement these ideas with efficiency and determination.

I loved it! So on November 18th, 2014, we welcomed our first son and named him Maverick.

His name comes from a nineteenth-century American named Maverick whose names came to signify "an independent man who avoids conformity."

I know that my son, Maverick, will have to one day decide what is Truth

Instead of conforming to what his culture suggests, I want him to be able to stand firm and go against the grain. I want him to buck the system. I want him to not accept "the way things are." And, I want him to leave a lasting impression on his generation, like he's leaving a lasting impression on me.Maverick will fulfill his destiny when his identity comes from what God says about him. That's why I want to train him to be a FivestarMan.

As a young woman, I knew that was the type of man I wanted to marry-and was trained to marry (thanks Dad!). Now as Maverick's mom, it is the type of man I want him to grow to be: adventurous, entrepreneurial, gallant, faithful, and philanthropic.

I know I'm not alone. Maybe you're like me, up at 3 am-and again at 5-feeding your son, wondering if you're doing everything right. Or, you're a parenting pro and your son sleeps through the night (suggestions welcome!). The point is, we all want one thing for our sons: to know the God we serve and to live out his purpose.

My prayer is we, as moms, raise our voices together to proclaim that our sons will know God and will reshape his generation!

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Growing up, we had one morning ritual. My siblings, Chase and Courtney, and I would jump in the car, buckle up and wait. About that time, my mom would shift the car in gear and she would begin to pray:

Lord, we thank you for today. I thank you your Angels and hedge of protection are around Alex, Chase, Courtney, Neil and me, Granna and Grandma Jerry. I thank you that we are the head and not the tail, always the top and never the bottom. We put on the full armor of God ...

Then all together, we would begin to say out loud:

The Helmet of Salvation, the Breast Plate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, our feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, we have the Sword of the Spirit, and the Shield of Faith, and we're ready to face the day. Praying always in the Spirit. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Somewhere between our house and our school, we began to believe what God offered us.

Before I knew Deuteronomy 28:13, I understood God's favor for those who followed Him. Before I knew Ephesians 6, I knew we could be Strong in the Lord. And, before I knew Philippians 4:13, I discovered who the source of my strength is.

When I was 10 years old, we moved from Daphne, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a big change in my young mind and going to a brand new school seemed intimidating. We got in the car on the first day of school and my mom began to pray - like she had every morning before. All of a sudden, I realized that one big thing did not change: the source of my strength was still the same.

Having the Word so foundational at a young age has given me the confidence to face new seasons - good and bad - knowing that nothing is bigger than the one constant: the source of my strength.

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