My youngest son is turning thirteen years old in February.

As a family, we perform a Manhood Ceremony for our boys.

Two years ago, we had a very intimate family gathering where we presented our oldest several items signifying his journey into Manhood.  These items are reminders of his role as a Man and some were challenges as he grows in adulthood.

The evening was amazing.  Parents and grandparents prayed and bestowed gifts to our oldest on his birthday.  As a father, I passed on the blessing to my first born.  I gave him permission to pursue Biblical manhood and I promised to be there to guide him.

One item I gave my oldest was a leather bound journal.  Inside the journal was a collection advice from Men(who impacted my life) on what it means to be a man.  One of the men, I reached out is a great friend who broadcast the request on his radio show.  What an answer to prayer for me and others who were listening to the show.

I collected all the advise…raw and unedited and placed it all inside the leather bound journal and presented to him.  To this day, I see him cracking the journal and reading it.

So I’m going to ask the question of you for my youngest turning thirteen next month.  If you had to give one piece of advice to a thirteen year old boy and you are a guy. What would you say to him about what it means to be a man?